O" ♦"'. "l 



^-;.-i? 



R^-J 




Class r Oi56'0 5 
Book 'O ^i SL^ 

GOF»lIGHT DEPOSm 



PLJYS BY 
GEORGE MIDDLETON 

UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME 
NOWADAYS. 

A Three- Act Contemporaneous Comedy. $1.20 

THE ROAD TOGETHER. 

A Four-Act Contemporaneous Drama. $1.20 
EMBERS and Other One-Act Plays. 

Including The Failures, The Gargoyle. In His 
House, Madonna, The Man Masterful. $1.35 

TRADITION and Other One-Act Plays. 

Including On Bail, Their Wife, Waiting, The 
Cheat of Pity, Mothers. $1.35 

POSSESSION and Other One-Act Plays. 

Including The Groove, A Good Woman, The 
Black Tie, Circles, The Unborn. $1.35 

MASKS and Other One-Act Plays. 

Including Jim's Beast, Tides, Among the Lions, 
The Reason, The House. $1.60. 

CRIMINALS. A One-Act Play. 

(Published by B. W. Huebsch, N. Y. $.50) 



HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 
Publishers New York 





Anton: * 'Forgive them for they know not what they do." 

Act 2. 



THE LIGHT OF THE 
WORLD 

A MODERN DRAMA 



By 

GUY BOLTON 

AND 

GEORGE MIDDLETON 




NEW YORK 

HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 

1920 






Copyright i9I9» 1920 

BY 

GUY BOLTON AND GEORGE MIDDLETON 

Copyright in Great Britain and Ireland and in all countries sub- 
scribing to the Bern Convention. All translation rights reserved. 
Published October, 1920 



SPECIAL NOTICE 

This play in its printed form is designed for the reading 
public only. All dramatic and production rights are strictly 
reserved in all countries as stated above and no public or 
private performance — professional or amateur — may he given 
without arrangements with the authors. As the courts have also 
ruled that the public reading of a play, for pay or where tickets 
are sold, constitutes a " performance ** no such reading may be 
given except by arrangements with the authors and upon 
the payment of royalties. Anyone disregarding the authors* 
rights renders himself liable to prosecution. All communications 
should be sent to the authors, care of Henry Holt and Company 
19 West 44th St., New York City, U.S.A. 



1/ 



NOV -11920 
§)OI.A601336 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 



^ 



As Produced at Lyric and Manhattan Theatres, 
New York City. 

PROGRAM 

F. RAY COMSTOCK and MORRIS GEST 
Present 

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

A Modern Drama in Three Acts 

By 
GUY BOLTON and GEORGE MIDDLETON 



CHARACTERS 

(Named in the order of their appearance) 

Mary Rendel^ mother of Anton, 

Miss Percy Haswell 
Nathan^ a Jew, Mr. Fuller Mellish 

Ruth LeDoux^ Miss Jane Cooper 

" The Three Wise Men '': 

Bert Adams^ an American newspaper man, 

Mr. Wright Kramer 
Jan Van Veen, of the Dutch Academy, 

Mr. Fred Vogeding 
Arthur Brooke^ an English Poet, 

Mr. Leslie Palmer 
Anton Rendel^ a carpenter and wood-carver, 

Mr. Pedro de Cordoba 
Simon Brock^ his friend, engaged to Ruth, 

Mr. Ralph Kellard 
Jonas Kurz, Mr. B. Wallis Clark 

Agnes, Miss Helen Chandler 

Timothy^ Master Charles Crumpton 

Pastor Saunders, Mr. Arnold Lucy 



Martin Gast, 
James Mayre, 



Mr. Ernest A. Elton 
Mr. Burke Clarke 
Paul Mayre, y Villagers Mr. Gerald Rogers 

Raymond Hott | Mr. Arthur Fitzgerald 

Margot Haser, J Miss Phillis Povah 

Marna Lynd, Miss Clara Joel 

Other villagers, various characters in the Passion Play, 
Children, Elders, Choir, etc. 

[Production staged by Robert Milton.] 



SCENES 

ACT I. The Home of Anton Rendel. 

ACT IL Open Air Stage of the Passion Play 
Theatre. Four Weeks Later. 

ACT III. Same as Act One. A few days later. 
TIME. The Present. 



THE FIRST ACT 

AT THE HOME OF ANTON RENDEL 



I 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 



THE FIRST ACT 

riryHE Living Room of Anton Rendel's cot- 
m fage is a quaint, sunny, cheerful place; quaint 
-^ by dint of the low-arched doorways, the huge 

porcelain stove and the tiny staircase that twists itself 
into one corner as if determined to take up as little 
room as possible; sunny because of a wide casemented 
window at the side and a doorway at the bach, the 
glazed upper half of which is left open to admit the 
soft spring air; and cheerful because it is obviously the 
scene of much pleasant activity : here is Anton's carv- 
ing-bench, his mother's ironing-stand, a dining table 
and a built-in dresser containing crockery. 

Near the dining table is a door that opens into the 
kitchen and back and forth through this round arched 
opening bobs Anton's mother as quickly as a shuttle 
and like a shuttle fashioning in her movements a 
homely, simple fabric of every day life. She is in the 
living room now standing at her ironing board press- 
ing (with an old-fashioned charcoal iron) a wedding 
veil of which more anon. She is all alone except for 
a great company of saints and angels that bear 
testimony to her sons talent and industry as a 

3 



4 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

wood-carver. The little clock on the mantel strikes 
four. 

She pauses a moment in her work and looks off 
through the window and gazes across an intervening 
valley to the tree sloped mountains piled up against 
the blue. She smiles as if glad to be alive — and indeed 
why shouldnt she? She has a pleasant home, a son 
who warmly appreciates and returns her devotion, and 
plenty of kindly neighbors. Besides, it is the year of 
the Passion Play and that certainly puts a thrill of 
excitement into life and causes every heart on the 
mountainside to swell with pride at the realization that 
the eyes of the whole world are turned toward their 
sacred village. We can let those who are watching her 
into the secret of what she is thinking. She is hoping 
(yes and praying, too) that her Anton may be chosen 
to enact the role of the Beloved Disciple — a rare honor 
indeed and one that is to be bestowed to-day by the 
committee of elders who are met in the village 
hall to make their choice of this years Passion 
Players. 

Mary Rendel sighs and returns to her work and 
at the same time old Nathan^ the Jew, enters, bear- 
ing a bundle of pear-wood sticks all ready for carv- 
ing. 

Nathan is the only Jew in the village and perhaps 
because of this he bears the burden of Judaism the 
more consciously and proudly. His race is well repre- 
sented in this old man: loyal, just, a shrewd bargainer 
and a keen observer of men. His wit is at times play- 
ful, at times sardonic as the occasion prompts. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 5 

Mother 
Is that Nathan? 

Nathan 
Yes. I had trouble to get good pear-wood. It 
seems to me every home in the village contains a wood- 
carver this year. 

Mother 
Is there any news? 

Nathan 
What news do you want? 

Mother 
Anton said that the Elders of the village were voting 
to-day for those who are to have places in the Passion 
Play. 

Nathan 
Yes, so they are. There are four newcomers to be 
honored. All the others are the same as they were 
ten years ago. 

Mother 
Old Rickert's daughter told me just now that her 
father was getting better, so perhaps they won't have 
to choose a new Judas Iscariot. 

Nathan 
Good. He is the best actor of them all. 



6 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Mother 
Indeed he is. That American who boarded with us 
during the last Passion Play, said it was a pity that 
the sacred story called for the hanging of Judas. 
There were several of the other players deserved it so 
much more. (Nathan laughs.) But, tell me, 
Nathan, is there no rumor in the village as to who will 
be chosen for St. John — or the Christ? 

Nathan 
None that has come to my ears. But then these 
good Christians are not likely to discuss such matters 
with a Jew. 

Mother 
Don't judge their bigotry too harshly, Nathan ; those 
old prejudices die slowly. And it speaks well for both 
you and your race that you have been able at least to 
win the respect of the whole village. 

{Blows in iron trying to start it burning.) 

Nathan 
Here, here, here, let me give it a blow. 

{Takes the iron, gives it a couple of hearty 
blows till the sparks fly out.) 
There. 

Mother 
{Resuming her ironing) 
Thank you, Nathan. 

Nathan 
Time was when you and your son were the only 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 7 

ones in this village who would speak with me. I came 
here a refugee seeking shelter and these folk all tried 
to drive me out with their silence and their scornful 
looks. 

Mother 
Anton has always been like that. Even as a boy, he 
would cry out against all that was mean or narrow- 
minded. 

Nathan 
(Simply) 
He is a good man even before he is a good Christian. 

Mother 
I thank the Lord every day for having given me such 
a son, {Sighing) only I wish he might have made him 
a little better business man. 

Nathan 
He did the next best thing: {Reaches over and pats 
her arm.) He sent him a Jew for a helper. 

Mother 
{As they both laugh) 
Fm glad of that. 

(Ruth comes in carrying an armful of wild 
flowers, which she has picked, and her bridal 
wreath, which she has just made. 

Ruth Le Doux is a sweet-faced girl radi- 
antly happy, speaking now and then with 
a little catch in her throat that hints of tears — 



8 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

for to-day is her wedding day; yet there is 
strength beneath her gentle charm — strength 
little expected till it is to be tested,) 

Ruth 
Hello, Nathan! 

Nathan 
Ruth! 

Mother 
And where is your handsome, young bridegroom? 

Ruth 
Oh, Simon is off mustering up his courage for the 
wedding, I expect. 

Mother 
It's a funny thing, that no matter how keen for it 
he may be, a man always seems to get nervous when 
he hears the church bells. 

Nathan 
{Playfully) 
Tolling the hour of his doom. 

Ruth 

What's that? 

Nathan 
And why not ? It's proper enough to laugh when a 
man is looking over the flock, but when he puts down 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 9 

his money and says " this is the sheep Til take " — that's 
a serious thing, isn't it ? 



Ruth 
And what do you mean by " looking over the flock '' ? 
Has Simon made love to all the girls here? 

Nathan 
Oh, no, not all. FU swear he never bothered with 
the cross-eyed ones. 

Mother 
Stop teasing her, Nathan. 

{Goes into kitchen with ironing board.) 

Ruth 
{Putting flower in his button hole) 
That's all right, Aunt Mary, I shan't pay any atten- 
tion to him. 

Nathan 
Look at the way the sun is shining on your marriage- 
day! 

Ruth 
Yes. When I was out gathering flowers for my 
bridal wreath everywhere there was sunshine and birds 
singing and the little water-fall below the Kofel made a 
sound like wedding-bells. 

{A knock is heard. Two Men appear at the 
doorway; they are Adams and Van Veen.) 



lo THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Ruth 
Come in. 

(Bert Adams is a cheerful, happy go lucky 
fellow; a great hustler after news which is 
perhaps the reason he has the commission to 
cover this years Passion Play for the New York 
papers. His companion, Jan Van Veen is, by 
way of contrast, a savant interested in the play 
from an historical standpoint — not as a believer. 
But being good humored and tolerant he is 
quite contented to keep his atheism in the back- 
ground,) 

Adams 
Excuse us. But is this the home of Anton Rendel, 
the wood-carver? 

Ruth 
Yes, it is. Won't you come in ? 

Adams 
Thank you. Come in, Professor. 

Van Veen 
(Entering) 
How do you do? 

Ruth and Nathan 
How do you do? 

Adams 
My friend, Professor Van Veen here, bought a 
carving of RendeFs last summer. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD ii 

Nathan 
Of course, I remember. Down at the Kroonwald 
Inn. It was / that sold it to him. 

Van Veen 
And I found after I examined it that there was a 
price scratched on the bottom. 

Nathan 
Yes. 

Van Veen 
And that price was just one-half what you charged 
me for it. 

Nathan 
Oh ! Perhaps I am mistaken. I don't think I could 
have been the one that sold it to you, after all. 

Van Veen 
Hmm! 

Brooke 
{Appearing in the doorway carrying rain coat on his 

arm) 
How do you do? 

Ruth 
Won't you come in? 

Brooke 
Thanks. 



12 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

(Arthur Brooke is a poet and the charm of 
an elfin fancy runs through his soft-voiced re- 
marks. To him the Passion Play is very quaint 
and beautiful^ but of course, not so beautiful as 
the legends of Greek mythology with which his 
poet's nature is more akin.) 

Nathan 
Rather early for visitors to be coming to the village. 

Adams 
Yes; we're three wise guys. (Brooke and Van 
Veen exchange disapproving looks.) We came up to 
choose our quarters for the Passion Play season before 
the mob get here. 

Nathan 
Looking for rooms? 

Adams 
Yes. 

Nathan 
Well, perhaps we can accommodate you. 

Brooke 
(Who has been looking about) 
What a charming interior. It is like one of those 
paintings of Teniers. 

Van Veen 
Charming — charming. Will someone tell Rendel 
that we'd be glad to look over his carvings? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 13 

Ruth 
rU go and get him. 

Nathan 
Wait, wait. Don't bother Anton. He's a very 
busy man. Fll show them to you. 

{He selects several small statues from the top 
shelf as the visitors continue looking about the 
room,) 

Adams 
But I'd like to interview Rendel if you don't mind. 
As long as you all say he's the best wood-carver in 
Switzerland, he ought to be worth a column in my 
weekly letter to the Herald. 

Ruth 

{Seeing Nathan start for the kitchen) 

Nathan, where are you going with those carvings? 

Nathan 
I'm going to mark the prices distinctly. They are 
not very plain and there must be no mistake this time. 
{He goes into the kitchen,) 

Ruth 
Won't you sit down? 

Van Veen 
Thank you. 



14 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Mother 
{Entering from kitchen) 
Greetings, gentlemen. 

Brcmdke 
Greetings to you. 

Adams 
Good afternoon. 

Ruth 
They've come to see Anton. 

Mother 
I am always proud to have strangers admire my 
son's work. 

Van Veen 
You are Anton RendeFs mother? 

Mother 
Yes, sir. 

Brooke 
{To his friends) 
Isn't she a Rembrandt? 

Mother 
No, sir: I am a Swiss. 

{The men smile: Ruth whispers something in 
her ear, correcting her mistake and she also 
laughs,) 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 13 

Adams 
(To Van Veen^ indicating Ruth) 
While you're collecting paintings, don't overlook 
this one. 

Mother 
Would the gentlemen like a little May wine? 

Brooke 
Thank you. Indeed we would. 

Adams 
I supposed a burg that was so darned strong for all 
this religious dope would be dry. 

Mother 
Excuse us, gentlemen. Come, Ruth dear. 

{She goes into the kitchen and after a moments 
hesitation Ruth runs out after her,) 

Brooke 
Now youVe shocked that sweet little mountain 

flower. 

Adams 
You mean what I said about their religion? 

Van Veen 
It's hard to remember there are people who still 
believe in God. 



i6 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Brooke 
God IS as beautiful to these folk as Jupiter and 
Venus and all the Greek mythology is to me. 

Adams 
We're a fine trio to come to the Passion Play. A 
poet-pagan, an atheist 

Brooke 
And you an American newspaper man: a creature 
with neither a soul nor a conscience. 

Van Veen 
The Three Wise Men journeying from afar. 

Brooke 
Yes; three Twentieth Century Wise Men come to 
see this Twentieth Century Christ. 

Adams 
By the way, who plays Christ this year? 

Brooke 
The Christus is as yet unchosen. I believe they 
are voting to-day. 

Adams 
I must get an interview with him as soon as it's 
settled. 

Brooke 
Don't be so flippant, Adams. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 17 

Adams 
What's the matter with you? 

Brooke 
I don't know. There's something about all this 
that impresses me. Christianity is a beautiful thing, 
even though it be a beautiful dead thing. And after 
all, beauty is the most sacred thing in the world and 
the faith of these people is beautiful. I feel somehow as 
if I were standing on sacred ground. 

(Anton is heard at the top of thef little flight 
of stairs. As the steps attract the attention of 
the three men they look inquiringly in their 
direction and follow the sound with their looks, 
as he comes down the stairs. He pauses on 
the landing and greets them before descending. 
He carries in his hand a small block of wood, 
roughed out for carving. 

If Nathan may stand for the best in 
Judaism, Anton may stand for the best in 
Christianity. His identification with the Christ 
spirit is not based on mere physical resemblance 
to the picture of the Saviour, striking though 
this likeness is; it finds its origin in his strong 
simple personality and above all in his mag- 
nanimity and kindness.) 

Anton 
Welcome, friends. 

{There is a momentary pause. The three men 



i8 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

are facing him visibly impressed by his pres- 
ence.) 

Brooke 
Who arc you? 

Anton 
I am Anton, the carpenter. 

Brooke 
Carpenter? 

Anton 
And wood-carver; though the first is the trade I 
was brought up to. 

{Coming down the stairs.) 

Adams 
Tell me. What part do you play in the Passion 
Play? 

Anton 
The last time it was given I was one of the disciples 
of John the Baptist. 

Adams 
Why, that's no more than a super! They ought to 
give you something better this time. 

Anton 
It is honor enough to be thought worthy to play 
in the Passion Play at all; just as it is pleasant to be 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 19 

alive on a fine day — even if you are only a poor 
carpenter. 

{Motions to Brooke to be seated.) 

Brooke 
Thank you. 

Van Veen 
You people take this play of yours very seriously. 

Anton 
And why not? 

Van Veen 
Well, after all, what purpose does it serve? 

Brooke 
Purpose ? It's beautiful. Isn't that purpose enough, 
you miserable materialist? 

Anton 
Yes, It IS beautiful. {To Van Veen) But more 
than that it holds up for our example, the best-lived 
life that any man has ever spent on this old earth 
of ours. 

Van Veen 
For our example? Christ lived nearly two thousand 
years ago. 

Adams 
The world has progressed in two thousand years. 



20 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
It will be many generations before the world will see 
eye to eye with Christ. Only step by step and slowly 
can we reach the heights. 

Van Veen 
But the conditions under which we live are so 
different. VvTiat good is it for me to look at the life 
of Christ? 

Anton 
Isn't it possible to live like Christ even in the 
Twentieth Century? 

Adams 
You just come over to New York and try it. 

Brooke 
Yes, the spirit that crucified Christ still lives, Anton 
Rendel. 

Anton 
All the more reason that the spirit of Christ should 
live, too. Do you think, my friends, the sacred drama 
which we give in this village is an idle tale of far- 
away times and strange conditions? Do you not feel 
that we may, each of us, at any moment, face the same 
problems as that strong, noble, kindly Man? Have 
you never felt the ache of His loneliness? The cruel 
injustice of misunderstanding? Has Judas never be- 
trayed you? Has your trusted friend Simon never 
deserted you, in your hour of need? Have you never 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 21 

had to wound your mother's heart by sacrificing her 
hopes for your future, to your sense of what is right? 

Brooke 
Have you met all these things? 

Anton 
Yes, in my small way I have met them — ^just as you 
have. And who shall say what hour we may meet 
them in a larger way? 

Brooke 
(Musingly) 
The little heartaches and disappointments give place 
to the greater test of tragedy. 

Anton 
When that time comes for any one of us, the picture 
of the Man of Nazareth moving amidst clamoring 
mobs with His head erect and a light on His face will 
cheer our darkest hour and give us courage. {Going 
up to shelves) But you came to see my carvings, not 
to listen to me talk. 

Brooke 
No, no; we like to hear you talk, don't we, Pro- 
fessor ? 

Van Veen 
I hope youVe going to get through your life with- 
out this severer test of v/hich you speak. 



22 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Adams 
But you live among friends; you're not likely to 
taste any persecution here. 

Anton 
This place has quite a high altitude but it is not 
Heaven. My old friend, Nathan the Jew, who lives 
here with us would tell you that. 

{He gives a colored carving to Brooke.) 

Brooke 
How exquisite! 

Van Veen 
It is a masterpiece! — How beautifully colored! 

Adams 
Well, I don't know much about this sort of thing 
myself; but I don't believe the New York Academy of 
Design would sniff at that. 

Van Veen 
And what is the subject? 

Anton 
The Magdalen at the foot of the Cross. 

Brooke 
It is wonderful ! See how this little group of women 
drawn to one side seem to proclaim their aloofness, 
even in that black hour, to the woman of sin. And 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 23 

what eloquence of grief there is in that crumpled heap 
at the foot of the Cross! That Cross on which hangs 
the Man who was not afraid to sully His goodness by 
raising up a harlot! 

Van Veen 
Look out, Brooke. If you stay here, you're going 
to end up a Christian. 

Brooke 
If it could inspire me to create such beauty as this, 
I wish I might. 

(Ruth enters from kitchen, carrying a small 
tray upon which is a jug of wine, four glasses 
and napkins.) 

Adams 
{Trying to help Ruth) 
Let me. 



Ruth 



Thank you. 



Brooke 
Your little sister here should make a good model 
for some of those lovely Madonnas of yours. 

Anton 
Ruth is not my sister. I wish she were. She is be- 
trothed to my dearest friend, Simon Brock, 



24 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Congratulations. 



Adams 
{To Ruth) 



Thank you. 



Ruth 
{Blushing) 



Brooke 
Your dearest friend's name is Simon, too? 

Van Veen 
What do you mean? 

Brooke 
I was thinking of Simon Peter. {To Ruth) And 
your name should be Martha. 

Ruth 

Why? 

Brooke 
{Taking the glass from tray as RuTH offers it to him) 
Thank you. I'm afraid you wouldn't understand. 
{To others as Ruth passes the wine.) But some- 
how I feel as though I had been taken back nearly two 
thousand years and that I am standing in a little house 
in Bethany. That's what your words and your art 
have done for a poor crazy poet, Anton Rendel. Why, 
I can almost fancy that in the distance I hear a crowd, 
chanting their Hosannas while they hear that the 
Messiah has come as a man to their humble village ! 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 25 

(As Brooke is speaking, there comes from the 
distance a sound of singing. They all pause, 
listening. Something like surprise and awe on 
the faces of the three men.) 

Anton 
{Simply) 
It IS the choir. The Elders have just announced 
that their choice is made for those who are to play the 
sacrtd roles. 

(Mother comes to the door of the kitchen.) 

Mother 
Anton! Anton! Do you hear? The choosing time 
is over. We shall know to-night who are the happy 
ones! 

Anton 
Yes. That is the only sad thing about our play, 
gentlemen. There will be many heartaches and dis- 
appointments to-night among those who have hoped 
and prayed these ten years past for some great honor 
to fall on them, or on their dear ones. 

(Mother presses her clasped hands against her 
bosom and her lips move as if in prayer.) 

Ruth 
If Simon should be chosen, we would not be able to 
go away to-night, 

Anton 
Oh, yes, you will. The work on the play will not 
begin for more than a week. 



26 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Adams 
Will you excuse me, please, 

Antok 
Certainly. 

Adams 
Thanks. I say, fellows, Tm here on a commission 
to do the Passion Play for the Herald, so I've got to 
get up to the town hall to see what's happening. 

Van Veen 
All right, suppose we come back to-morrow and 
talk prices with you, Anton Rendel ? 

Mother 
Not with Anton — with his assistant. 

Adams 
Good-bye, all. See you to-morrow! 
{He goes out quickly.) 

Van Veen 
(Raises the remainder of his glass of wine) 
Here's to the little bride. 

Mother 
Wait a minute; here's the little bride. 
(Mother goes to Ruth and brings her forward.) 

Van Vebn 
A long and happy married life. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 27^ 

Ruth 
Thank you, 

Brooke 
{Raising his glass) 
God's blessing on this house. 

Anton^ Ruth^ Mother 
Amen — Amen. 

Van Veen 
{As they drink) 
Amen. That's pretty good for a pagan and an 
atheist. 

Brooke 
(To Anton) 
Thank you, for a very wonderful experience. 

{Takes hat and coat from sofa. Van Veen 
takes his hat from chair, goes to door. Nathan 
comes back from kitchen carrying carvings.) 

Nathan 
Here are some of your best things, Anton, that I 
found outside. 

Anton 
Thank you, Nathan, these gentlemen may come back 
to-morrow. 



Good-bye ! 



Brooke 
{Turning to door) 



28 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
One moment, sir. {He takes up the carving of the 
Magdalen at the foot of the Cross*) You have seen 
some beauty in this. I should be very happy if you 
would take it as a gift. 







Nathan 


What! 




Brooke 


Oh no; 


I couldnti 


Mother 


Oh! 







Anton 
I heard you say that you are a poet. I know you 
have eyes that see what is hidden from many. Won't 
you do a brother artist this favor? 

Brooke 
If you put it like that 

Anton 
I loved that piece of work when I was doing It. 
I would like to think of it belonging to one who saw 
its message. 

(Brooke hesitates but the look on Anton's 
• face makes him slowly take it,) 

Brooke 
Thank you. It will be my dearest possession. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 29 

Nathan 
Oh! 

Brooke 
{To Mother) 
You are quite right. When we come to talking 
business to-morrow, it must be with Nathan. 

Nathan 
Yes, I think it must! 

Van Veen 
Good-bye ! 

{He goes out.) 

Anton 
Will you wrap it up, Nathan? 

Brooke 
No, don't trouble. 

{He throws the light coat around the carving, 
turns to door, then comes back again to 
Anton.) 
When I first saw you I was sure 

Anton 
Sure? 

Brooke 
Oh, nothing. {Hesitating) Tell me, how does one 
know when the spirit of Christ speaks within one. 



30 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
(Gently) 
It comes like flowers in the night. 

(Brooke looks at him a moment and under- 
stands,) 

Brooke 
Thank you. Good-bye. 

{He goes out slowly.) 

Mother, Ruth, Anton 
Good-bye ! 

Mother 
(Reproachfully) 
And you gave it away! 

Nathan 
Never mind, never mind. They're coming back 
to-morrow. 

{He goes into kitchen.) 

Mother 
If it wasn't for Nathan, I don't know what would 
become of us. 

Anton 
Don't scold me. Mother. 

Mother 
Six weeks' work and a gift to a stranger. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 31 

Anton 
But he wasn't a stranger when he left. A love 
of beauty is the greatest bond in the world, little 
Mother. 

Mother 
Fine words. 

Ruth 
Don't be cross with Anton on my wedding day, 
Aunt Mary. 

Mother 
But 

Anton 
Thank you, Ruth. 

Ruth 
Besides, she is just as bad as you are, Anton. Look 
what she gave me. 

{Holds up the veil.) 

Anton 
What is It? 

Ruth 
A wedding veil — stupid! 

Anton 
{Sitting by table) 
Oh, of course. 



32 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Mother 
Anton IS like his father. He never notices women's 
clothes; no, nor the girls that wear them. 

Anton 
That is mother's other grievance, Ruth. She wants 
a daughter-in-law. 

Mother 
Yes. Tm going to miss Ruth after she leaves to- 
day. Women like women's talk as much as men like 
men's talk. It would be such a wonderful comfort to 
have a girl about the place, not to speak of the little 
children that I'm longing to hold on my knees. 

Ruth 
Haven't you ever found a girl that you could love, 
Anton? 

Mother 
I had great hopes once, but they came to nothing. 

Ruth 
Was she a girl of this village? 

Mother 
Yes; but you wouldn't know hen 

Anton" 
{Half whimsically, but with a suggestion that the 
memory hurts him) 
Please, mother 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 33 

Mother 
She went away before you came here — just vanished 
in the night, like a swallow at the first touch of frost. 

Ruth 
I wonder if that could be the girl that Simon told me 
of? 

Anton 
Simon told you? {Leans forward) What did he tell 
you? 

Ruth 
We were out walking together on the upper moun- 
tain road and as we passed a funny tumbled-down 
cottage an old woman came running out and caught 
hold of Simon's arm and said : *' Where is she ? Tell 
me where she has gone? '' 

Mother 
That's Marna Lynd's aunt, poor crazy old Anna. 

Ruth 
{To Anton) 
Yes, Simon said she was crazy and that her niece 
ran away because she used to beat her. 

Mother 
That's all true enough. 

Anton 
{Thoughtfully) 
And so she thought Simon knew something of her 
going away? 



34 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Ruth 
Yes; but, of course, he didn't, 

Anton* 
No-o, of course not. 

Ruth 
You don't mean you think he really did know? 

Mother 
Not if he told you he knew nothing about it. 

(Simon Brock^ who now enters^ is a well-huilt, 
handsome young mountaineer. There is nothing 
evil about him. He has the common human in- 
stincts hut he has not yet learned the bitter 
lesson of how far astray one wrong action may 
lead. His eyes go immediately to Ruth and 
in that glance is an intense adoration rare in- 
deed in the wooing of these simple villagers. 
He is dressed for the wedding.) 



Well, Fm here! 
Simon! 



Simon 
Ruth 



Mother 
Go on, kiss him ! Are you bashful ? 

{She watches Ruth run happily to Simon, 
and as they embrace, she smiles.) 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 35 

Ruth 
Don't tell me it's time for us to be starting? 

Simon 
Yes, It IS. You know there's a lot of writing to be 
put in that parish register. 

Ruth 
Well, it won't take me but a minute or two to slip 
on my communion dress. And, look, Simon, I've got 
a veil. Real lace, it is. 

Simon 
{Slipping his arm around her) 
It's beautiful. 

Mother 
'Twas mine at my own wedding. I kept it all these 
years {Looking at Anton) in the hopes that my 
daughter-to-be might wear it. 

Simon 
Well surely it's not too late? 

Anton 
Yes, it is Simon; it is too late. 

{He turns abruptly and goes out of the door 
that leads to the kitchen.) 

Mother 
I will help you with your dressing, dearie. 
{She goes upstairs and then off.) 



36 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Ruth 
Thank you, Aunt Mary. Where is my wreath ? 

Simon 
Don't spend too much time on your prinking, 

Ruth 
{Taking wreath) 
And you didn't spend an hour, I suppose, soaping 
down your hair till it looks as shiny as a pair of Sun- 
day boots? 

Simon 
Yes ; but my hair is wild and stubborn. 

Ruth 
And the hair is like the nature, they say. If so, I'm 
going to have a hard time training you. 

Simon 
Not you. I'm just like clay in your pretty little 
hands. {Goes to her) I love you so, one whole life- 
time will never be long enough to tell you how much. 
{Holds her close and kisses her.) 

Ruth 
{Pressing away from him) 
My, but you mountain men are strong lovers. 

Simon 
And who wouldn't love you? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 37 

Ruth 
All the same, I wish you were a little clumsier about 
it. 

Simon 
Clumsier? Why? 

Ruth 
Then I wouldn't be always fearing that you must 
have had practice. 

(She runs up the stairs , throws him a kiss from 
the landing. Then she goes off. Simon's mood 
abruptly changes as though something were 
troubling him. He slowly goes to the door and 
looks off over the valley, as Anton enters from 
kitchen, carrying a heavy piece of wood; it is 
the arm of the cross, dowelled and re patted,) 

Anton 
So the happiest day of your life is come at last, 
Simon ? 

Simon 
{Without turning) 
Yes, yes. 

Anton 
Old Nathan, who sets great store by omens, tells me 
there isn't a cloud in the sky. 

Simon 
Yes, there is — there is one cloud. I can see it from 
here. 



38 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
But not a large one ? 

Simon 
{Impressively) 
No larger than a man's hand. {Seeing Anton //// 
the upright of cross, he goes to him.) Let me help 
you with that. 

Anton 
Thank you, Simon. 

{They place the piece on the work bench.) 

Simon 
A cloud like that may grow, Anton. 

Anton 
What IS it? What do you fear? 

Simon 
I don't know. It's just a feeling of unrest, like the 
unrest in the air that warns cattle of a coming storm. 

Anton 
But no storm is coming to you and Ruth. 

Simon 
I wonder. 

Anton 
{Puts his arm about his shoulder) 
What's troubling you, Simon? Surely you can 
trust me? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 39 

Simon 
{Smiles, puts his hand on Anton's) 
Of course, I trust you, Anton. Td trust you with 
my life. 

Anton 
Then speak out. Truth is the sun that will drive 
away all these clouds of yours. 

Simon 
That's It. If I only dared to tell Ruth the truth— 
but I don't. And that thing which I don't dare to 
tell will He down with us at night and rise up with 
us in the morning. It will be a shadow always at my 
shoulder, waiting for the hour when a chance word shall 
betray me. {His head drops a moment. Then he 
looks up at Anton.) You may thank God, Anton, 
you have nothing hidden in your heart that you daren't 
let out into the light. 

Anton 
But surely little Ruth loves you so 



Simon 
She would never understand how I could have lied 
to her — lied with my lips against hers. Anton, I am 
not worthy of her! 

Anton 
Is any man worthy of a girl who comes as Ruth 
does — out of the dawn? 



40 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Simon 
Yes; you would be. 

Anton 
I? Oh, no! 

Simon 
But you have never sinned as I have sinned. 

Anton 
Perhaps I have never been tempted as you may have 
been. 

Simon 
Yes, I was tempted. {Turns away) And so I 
tempted her. I betrayed her. 

Anton 
You loved this girl? 

Simon 
Was it love if I could forget so easily? 

Anton 
Was it Marna Lynd? Tell me. 

Simon 
{Turns to him) 
Why, no. Marna? Why should you think of her? 

Anton 
She went away soon after 3^ou had gone down to the 
valley to build that new church. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 41 

Simon 
She went away because that crazy woman was cruel 
to her. 

Anton 
Yes. {Suspecting) Yes, of course. {After a second's 
pause, moves toward htm,) Simon, you shouldn't let 
this thing, whatever it is, stand between you and Ruth. 

Simon 
You mean that I should tell her? 

Anton 
If you don't it will grow unseen by you both. 

Simon 
I daren't tell her! 

Anton 
And yet when you climbed the new church steeple 
to set a cross on the top, they said you were the bravest 
man in this village. 

Simon 
Yes. But I'm not brave enough to risk losing her 
love and respect; and that love and respect mean more 
to me than life itself. 

Anton 
You will win her respect all the more because you 
dared to make this confession to her. 



42 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Simon 
You wouldri^t have me tell her now? 



Anton 
In all honor you should tell her before your marriage. 

Simon 
( Apprehensively ) 
Then you do think she may refuse to go on with the 
wedding? 

Anton 
No, I don't. I don't think so. 

Simon 
But you're not sure? And I'm not sure. Ruth 
might tell me to go back to the girl I wronged. She 
may feel that that is right. 

Anton 
You should give her the chance to decide that. 

Simon 
But that isn't possible. The other girl is not here. 

Anton 
Is not here? You told me the truth just now when 
I spoke of Marna? 

Simon 
Why, certainly. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 43 

Anton 
And there is no way for you to make amends to the 
other woman? 

Simon 
No. I don't know where she is. I doubt if she is 
even living. 

(Nathan comes in from the kitchen, carrying 
Ruth's chest.) 

Nathan 
Here's the little bride's treasure chest. 

Anton 
Let me give you a hand with that, Nathan ? 

Nathan 
No, no. I can manage it. I'll lash it in the back 

of your cart, Simon. 

{As Nathan goes to the door Anton places 
the arm of cross in position on upright piece 
so that the cross is made, SiMON stands silently 
leaning against post.) 

Ah! Here comes Jonas Kurz. Be careful that you 

say nothing that he can distort with that evil tongue 

of his. 

Anton 
{Placing the wooden pins in cross) 
His hatred of your race makes you bitter, Nathan. 

Nathan 
The hatred of such people is only an honor. But I 



44 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

can't stand having to listen to his unending boastings 
of what a great actor he is. 



Jonas 
{Outside) 
Anton ! Anton ! 

(Jonas enters excitedly*) 

(Nathan will presently liken Jonas Kurz 
to Judas Iscariot, and there is indeed a strong 
resemblance, for envy of the beloved disciple 
John moved Judas to his Master s betrayal far 
more than the thirty pieces of silver; and Jonas 
is envy personified. For the rest, he is a fine 
looking man with hair and beard trimmed to 
make him eligible for the role of the Christus. 
He struts a trifle and obviously has a good 
opinion of himself,) 

Anton 
Come in, come in, Jonas. 

Nathan 
Ah! 

Jonas 
Ah! {Passing Nathan contemptuously) I stopped 
a moment on my way back to my house to tell you 
the news. The committee have finished their choosing 
and have come out of the Town Hall. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 45 

Anton 
Yes ; I heard the choir. 

Jonas 
They're in the church receiving the blessing on their 
work before starting round to make announcement to 
the lucky ones, 

Anton 
Let us hope they have chosen those most worthy. 

Jonas 
From what folk are saying, I think the committee is 
waking up, and caring a bit less about getting good 
men and more about getting good actors. 

Nathan 
Meaning Jonas? 

Jonas 
That's what the strangers coming here from all over 
the world want to see — good actors. 

Anton 
That should be thought of, too. Yet we don't give 
the play to catch the money of curious travellers, but 
for the Glory of God. 

Jonas 
I was speaking just now with an American who has 
come here to write about the play, and he tells me 



46 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

that Americans didn't choose their actors just be- 
cause they've lived good, pure lives; they think about 
art. 

Nathan 
(Sarcastically) 
All of which is to say that Jonas expects one of 
the best parts to come to him. 

Jonas 
And why not? And why not? Wasn't my Barabbas 
the talk of the last Passion Play? 

Nathan 
Yes, you played a thief quite well. Perhaps this 
time they'll try you with Judas. 

Jonas 
Judas! Me! No, friends. {As the church chimes 
strike in the distance,) Rumor says they've chosen me 
for the highest honor of all. 

Nathan 
{Laughing derisively) . 
What! You to play the Christus? Why, they 
might almost as well choose me. 

Jonas 
Don't forget I was asked to come and play in a real 
theatre in Berne after they saw my Barabbas. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 47 

Anton 
Yes, you play well, very well, Jonas. And your 
fine work will be an honor to the village, whether you 
play a great role or a small one. 

Jonas 
Acting isn't work to me. I have the gift for it. 
(Nathan laughs as Jonas glares at him,) I think 
I hear the church bells. If I don't hurry theyll be 
getting to my house before I do, 
{He goes out.) 

Nathan 
{Laughing as he picks up Ruth's chest and starts out) 
He has the gift! Jonas playing the Christus! Well, 
as a good Jew, I'm glad they're not getting him to 
play Moses. 

{He goes out laughing.)] 

Ruth 
{From upstairs) 
Come on, Aunt Mary! 

(Anton detains Simon, who has started after 
Nathan^ on hearing Ruth's voice.) 

Anton 
No, I'll help Nathan lash the chest in your cart, 
Simon. You stay here and tell Ruth. 

Simon 
{Meeting his gaze) 
Tell her ? 



48 



Yes. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
(Firmly) 

Simon 



Very well, I will. 

Anton 
God be with you. 

(Anton ^oes out after Nathan as Ruth 
enters wearing a simple white dress with her 
bridal wreath and veil,) 

Ruth 
Well, how do I look? 

Simon 
{Gazing at her, fascinated) 
Like the Snow-Princess we used to read about in 
the fairy books when we were children. 

Ruth 

{Smiling) 
A snow princess? Oh, TU try not to be quite as 
cold as that to my Fairy Prince. 

Simon 
{Taking hold of her arms and drawing her to him) 
Oh, but you're the sweetest thing God's sun ever 
shone on! 

Ruth 
Oh! Be careful or you'll be spoiling all the work 
we've done ironing this dress. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 49 

Simon 
( Catches her hand) 
Oh, never mind that ! 

Ruth 
But I do mind. And all the girls that would like to 
have married you, standing in their doorways to see 
us go by. I'm thinking you'll have time enough for 
hugging me later on, 

Simon 
{More soberly) 
Will I ? I wonder? — Ruth, I want to tell you some- 
thing. 

Ruth 
What IS it, dear? 

Simon 
Ruth, Vm not worthy of you. 

Ruth 
Of course, you're not. I'm such a wonderful girl. 
I deserve a real prince not a fairy one; and a golden 
palace to live in and two little black pages to carry my 
train. {She playfully curtseys,) Oh, how do you do? 
I'm so glad youVe had the pleasure of meeting me. 

Simon 
{Embracing her, impulsively) 
Oh, you're adorable! And you're mine! Mine! 



50 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

I love you and you love me and mistakes and sins can't 
alter that! 

Ruth 
{Startled by his vehemence) 
Why, Simon, what are you talking about? 

Simon 
You are more to me than air or food or sunshine. I 
don't care to wake to a new day unless I wake to 
find you in my arms. 

Ruth 
Simon, you're so strange; you're frightening me. 

Simon 
{Still holding her in his arms) 
Listen, dear; long ago I did something wrong; 
something IVe repented bitterly; that Td give all I 
have to undo. I want to tell you now and ask your 
forgiveness. {She presses away from him.) But I 
want you — I want you to say you forgive me without 
my telling you. 

Ruth 
You mean you did a wrong to me? 

Simon 
Oh, no, dear, no. 

Ruth 
Then why should I forgive you? Unless ? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 51 

(Steps away as he holds her hand in both of his.) 
Simon, you don't mean that it's something that might 
stand in the way of our marrying? 

Simon 
No, no, dear. 

Ruth 
No other woman has any greater claim on you than 
/ have? 

Simon 
No, dear! 

Ruth 
Because if she has, Simon, I want you to tell me now, 
before it's too late. 

Simon 
{Fearfully) 
Too late! {Trying to read her mind.) You mean 
that if it were something like that you wouldn't marry 
me? 

Ruth 
Not if I thought you belonged to someone else, no. 

Simon 
{Embracing her, with an effort, turning his head away) 
Well, it isn't, it isn't anything of that sort, Ruth. 

Ruth 
{Smiling) 
Then I'm quite willing to take this dreadful thing 



52 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

on trust, and forgive you without asking any ques- 
tions. 

Simon 
(Kissing her hand) 
Thank you, dear. 

Ruth 
{Impressively) 
Simon, you know all Tm giving you? 



Yes. 

It's for always. 
For always. 



Simon 
Ruth 
Simon 



Ruth 
Keep me happy, dear one. {They kiss reverently.) 
Now, come. We're late, you know. {Calling) Good- 
bye, Aunt Mary! 

Mother 
( Upstairs) 
Wait a minute, dear. 

(Anton enters. He looks at Simon to see if 
he has told Ruth and from Simon's assumed 
manner, is sure that Ruth has forgi wn 
him.) 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 53 

Anton 
{Happily) 
There : the chest is made fast ready for the journey. 

Ruth 
But you and Aunt Mary are coming to the church? 

Anton 
Oh, yes. We'll start as soon as we hear the first 
bell peal. May I kiss her, Simon? 

Ruth 
Of course, you may. 

Anton 
{Puts his hands on Ruth's shoulders and kisses her on 
the brow) 
God keep you both! You will never regret, dear, 
what you did just now. 

Ruth 
{Puzzled) 
What I did just now? 

Simon 

{Quickly) 

I told Anton I was going to ask your forgiveness. 

Anton 
Fm glad. 



54 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Ruth 
{Just a bit puzzled) 
Oh, yes. 

(Mother has entered, coming to Ruth^ and 
embracirg her.) 

Mother 
Ruth, dear! Excuse a silly old woman's tears, 
darling. It seems people must be sad a little when 
they are happy. Women will cry at weddings, I don't 
know why. 

Ruth 
Yes, I feel liice crying, too. 

{Her head drops on Mother's shoulder — both 
crying.) 

Anton 
Oh, but you mustn't; that would never do. A 
weeping bride going up the street, eh, Simon ? 

Simon 
No, that's true. 

Mother 
You must stop here on your way down for some 
cakes I baked. 

Ruth 
Of course, we will. 

Mother 
May God send you every blessing. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 55 

Simon 
Thank you. 

{Amid general good-byes Ruth and Simon 
go out as Anton and his mother stand look- 
ing after them. People outside are heard shout- 
ing after the couple — and a number of children 
are laughing happily.) 

Anton 
The cloud has. grown bigger. 

Mother 
Yes, Fm afraid there's a storm coming. 

Anton 
Look. The children are pelting them with flowers. 

Mother 
It's a pretty sight: a wedding. 

Anton 
One boy is running behind trying to tie an old boot 
to the chest. 

Mother 
I must be getting on my bonnet, I suppose. 

Anton 
(Calling off) 
Tim! Timmy! Agnes! {The children cry back 
^' yes, yesf*) Come here, IVe got something for you. 



S6 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

{There is the sound of an answering childish 
shout. Mother goes slowly up the stair; she 
pauses again on the landing just long enough to 
see him stoop and gather two running young- 
sters into his arms. Then she goes up sadly 
into her room. 

Agnes and Timothy are just a little girl 
and boy of eight and ten respectively. They are 
much like any little girl and boy that one may 
happen to know and be very fond of. Agnes 
carries an old boot, tied to a piece of red ribbon 
and swings it about,) 

Timothy 
What IS it? A whale? 

Agnes 
With Jonah inside him? 

Anton 
{Taking the boot from her) 
It's a dragon this time. You go over there and sit 
down, children. 

(Agnes runs for the armchair but Timothy 
heats her to it.) 
I found him out in the woods. I only had to carve 
him a little and put on two buttons for eyes. 

{Taking the dragon from the seat at fireplace.) 

Agnes 
Two buttons for eyes! 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 57 

Timothy 
Is it mine? 

Anton 
Yes. 

Timothy 
It's mine. 

Anton 
Oh! Fm making a wooden doll for Agnes, but it 
isn't quite finished yet. 

Agnes 
How big is it? 

Anton 
(Measuring the doll by extending his hands wide 
apart) 
Oh! It's about 

Agnes 
{Her eyes popping out) 
Oh! 

Anton 
{Bringing his hands close together) 
So big. (Agnes laughs) There's your dragon, 
Timmy. 

Timothy 
Oh, it's got teeth ! 



58 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Agnes 
Say thank you, Timmy. 



Timothy 
Thank you, Anton. 

Agnes 
{Sitting on the arm of Anton's chair) 
Has Ruth gone away to get married, Anton? 

Anton 
Yes. 

Agnes 
And now shell have little girls and boys like us. 

Anton 
We hope so. 

Agnes 
Has she decided which shell have first? 

Timothy 
I'm going to have mine all at once so they can play 
together better. 

Anton 
A very good idea. 

Timothy 
I thought so. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 59 

Agnes 
Why don't you have little boys and girls, Anton? 
Don't you like them ? 

Anton 
{Drawing her to him) 
You know I like them! 

Timothy 
I s'pose they make too much noise while he's work- 
ing. 

Anton 
Oh, no, I shouldn't mind that. 

Agnes 
Can't you find a woman that'll marry you? 

Anton 
{Laughing) 
You've guessed it at last. 

Agnes 
{Putting her arm around his neck) 
Never mind. I'll marry you when I'm grown up. 
And then you can order just as many children as you 
like. 

Timothy 
That's silly. You know all the women in the village 
would like to marry Anton. Why, there isn't any 



6o THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

other man can carve animals out of sticks! {Going 
over to him) Tell us a story, Anton. 

Agnes 
Yes! 

Anton 
What kind of a story? 

Timothy 
{Sitting beside him) 
About the dragon. 

Agnes 
No; about the lost sheep. 

Timothy 
I like dragons better than lost sheep. 

Anton 
And I gave you a dragon, so now I'll give Agnes her 
story, eh, Timmy? 

Timothy 
Oh, all right. 

Anton 
(In the distance the chanting of the choir is heard 
coming nearer) 
Once upon a time there was a shepherd who had a 
flock of good sheep 

Timothy 
One of 'em wasn't good. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 6i 

Anton 
Yes, that's true. There were ninety and nine good 
ones that did just what the shepherd said, and there 
was one little sheep that thought he knew better than 
the shepherd and ran away by himself. 

Timothy 
I wish I was a sheep sometimes. 

Agnes 
What is that singing? 

Anton 
It's the people who are going to announce to the 
man they have chosen to play the Christus. 

Agnes 
Why don't they choose you? 

Anton 
I'm not good enough. 

Agnes 
Your mother says there's no one as good as you are 
in all of the village. 

Anton 
Oh, that's what mothers always say of their sons. 

Timothy 
My mother doesn't say that about me. 



62 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Agnes 
Keep quiet, Timmy; Anton is telling us a story. 

Anton 
Well, this one little sheep ran away and was lost 
and the shepherd felt very sad for he kept wondering 
what had happened to the poor lost sheep and he knew 
she was very unhappy and lonely and tired 

Timothy 
She? It wasn't a she; it was a he. 

Anton 
Of course, excuse me. 

Agnes 
{In an excited whisper) 
Anton ! Anton ! 

Timothy 
What is it? 

(Agnes runs to the door, opens the top half 
and looks out. Timothy runs to sofa, jumps 
on it, kneeling. Anton rises. Agnes runs 
back to Anton.) 

Agnes 
The Pastor! The Pastor! 

Timothy 
{Runs to Anton) 
The Pastor! The Pastor! 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 63 

(Anton stands with his arms around the shoul- 
ders of the children. Mother on hearing the 
singing has come to the landing on the stairs 
and looks out through window. After a pause 
Pastor Saunders^ a good, simple shepherd of 
this mountain flock, appears at the doorway, 
wearing his black cassock with the divided tie of 
white lawn. The singing stops.) 



Anton Rendel! 
Ah, Pastor 



Pastor 
Anton 



Pastor 
{Coming in) 
We find you pleasantly occupied, Friend Anton. 
(Martin, James and Raymond, Margot and 
Victoria together with the villagers crowd 
around the doorway and into the room. The 
choir and others are outside under the trees.) 

Anton 
Go, greet the Pastor, dears. 

Timothy 
Good evening, sir. 

Agnes 
Good evening, sir. 



64 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Pastor 
How are you, my dears? 

Agnes 
Very well, thank you, Pastor. Anton was just tell- 
ing us the story of the lost sheep. Wouldn't you like 
to hear it, too? 

Pastor 
I? When I know it? 

Agnes 
But he tells it so well. Pastor. 

Pastor 
Hush, my dears 

{Places one hand under Agnes' chin, the other 

on Timothy's head,) 
In years to come you children will be able to tell that 
you witnessed one of the greatest events in the life 
of our village. 

{Impressively to Anton amid the silence,) 
Anton Rendel, after due deliberation, and a prayerful 
seeking of the blessing of our Heavenly Father, you 
have been chosen for the highest honor it lies within 
our power to bestow. 

Anton 
Why— Pastor— I 

Pastor 
You are to play the sacred role of the Saviour of 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 65 

Mankind, now and for so long as your life is such that 
you are adjudged worthy of this great trust. 

Anton 
I — I have been chosen? 



Pastor 
(Goes to him J hand on his shoulder) 
Yes, my son. Your astonishment does credit to 
your modesty and humbleness of spirit. 

{He makes a signal and Paul comes through 
the crowd and lays on the Pastor's arm a 
folded robe — '' the vestments of Christ '* — and 
hands him the shepherd staff. Agnes runs to the 
mother; Anton turns to her holding out his 
hand.) 



Anton 



Mother! 



Mother 
My son! 

{She comes to him. He takes her in his arms. 
Then the Pastor goes to Anton and lays the 
robe on his arm and hands him the staff.) 

Pastor 

{With solemnity) 

In conferring this great responsibility upon you, we 

pray that your thoughts may be kept holy and your life 

pure. We charge you to see that this house shall be 



66 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 



as consecrated ground, where no one who is given over 
to carnal or worldly living shall enter to defile you 
with their association. 

Anton 
(As he offers the prayer all bow their heads) 
Oh, God, give me Thy help to follow as far as 
mortal man is able in the steps of Thy Beloved Son, 
Jesus Christ. 



Amen. 



Amen! 



Omnes 
(Murmurs) 

Agnes 



Pastor 
Come now, we will leave him. He should be alone. 
(The Villagers go out, except James^ Margot, 
Victoria, Paul, Raymond and Martin, who 
wait at the door for the Pastor.) 



Pastor 
I shall be at home to-night, my son, if you wish to 
visit me. 



Anton 



Thank you. 



Pastor 
You must be a happy mother, Mrs. Rendel, to have 
borne a son to this great service. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 67 

Mother 
Every mother in the village dreams of this moment 
from the first hour that her son sleeps on the breast. 

Pastor 
{Shakes hands) 
And It has come to you. I am glad, 

(He motions to the others to leave and then 
he goes out after making the sign of the Cross. 
The choir is heard singing as all go away. 

Timothy and Agnes who have been kneel- 
ing on the sofa, watching them go, now jump 
down.) 

Timothy 
It's all right, now they've gone. One, two, three, 
{Both children together.) Hurray! 

Mother 
Children! Children! 

Timothy 
That's all right. Come on, Agnes, the Pastor said 
he was to be alone. 

Agnes 
{Runs to door but there is something she has forgotten 
to say and she turns back to Anton) 
Good-bye, Anton. I know now why you haven't 
got married. God wanted you for this. 

(Anton^ his hand resting on her head, kisses 
her on the brow.) 



68 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Wait for me, Timmy. 

{Runs out after him.) 

Mother 
My boj'^ — my little boy! 

Anton 
Not a very little boy now, mother dear. 

Mother 
Yes, you are my bahy. And since it seems you're 
all the baby Fm to have in my old arms, you mustn't 
mind it. 

Anton 
Why, youVe got your bonnet on, already. 

Mother 
My bonnet on? Have I? So I have. I wonder 
how I came to do that? 

Anton 
{Laughing gently) 
Don't you remember? The wedding. Ruth and 
Simon. 

Mother 
Goodness. And Fd forgotten all about it. 

Anton 
It must be time to go. I wonder, dear, would you 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 69 

go on ahead ? They'll be so disappointed if you aren't 
there, mother. 

Mother 
You want to be alone. I understand. 



Anton 
Just for a few moments. It was so unexpected. 

Mother 
Not to me it wasn't. 

Anton 
Pray for me, mother. Pray that I may be helped to 
do as well as I can, what Christ would have done. 

Mother 
Very well, my dean 

(She kisses his forehead, looks at him fondly 
and then goes out. 

Anton smiles after her. Goes to the door; 
stands a moment looking out; closes the bot- 
tom half of door, looks at robe, then at the staff, 
offers prayer, and slowly walks to the chair 
below the fireplace. He rests the staff in the 
corner below the mantel and reverently drapes 
the robe on the chair. Then he stands with 
clasped hands gazing at it, again offering a 
silent prayer. He goes over to the cross and 
looks at it for a moment, kneels slowly beside it 
in prayer, as it grows dark outside. 



70 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

After a moment's pause Marna comes to the 
door, opens the top half and hesitates^ looking in. 

Not long ago one would have called Marna 
Lynd a pretty girl. Now suffering, anxiety 
and the exaltation and anguish of woman's 
supreme experience has brushed away the bloom 
and left instead the stamp of individuality and 
character — which is beauty. She is very poorly 
dressed and in her bearing there is the suggestion 
of hopeless fatigue. She comes in, sees Anton 
and hesitates.) 



Anton. Anton. 



Marna ! 



Marna 
(In a low voice) 

Anton 
{Raises his head) 



Marna 
You haven't forgotten me? 



Forgotten you? 



Anton 
(Rises) 
Of course not. 



Marna 

(Dully) 
No, of course not. It seems such a long, long time 
ago that I left, but it isn't so long really. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 71 

Anton 
Why did you leave? Why did you run away from 
all your friends? We've been very anxious about you, 
Marna. 

Marna 
{Scornftilly) 
Who has? That crazy woman or all the good 
people who told me it was mv duty to obey her even 
though she be a bit mad? 

Anton 
{Going to her) 
You look tired, Marna. 

Marna 
Yes, IVe been walking two days and a half. I slept 
in the open last night — out under the pine trees. 

Anton 
Poor child! 

{Helping her to stool where she sits.) 

Marna 
Tell me, Anton, has Simon Brock come back to the 
village? 

Anton 
Yes; five weeks ago. He brought back with him the 
girl to whom he was betrothed. 



72 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Marna 
(Brokenly) 
Betrothed? 

Anton 
Yes; they are up in the church now. I was just 
going there. 

Marna 
You mean this day I have come back is their wed- 
ding day? (As Anton nods, she laughs bitterly.) 
No wonder it says in the Bible that God laughs. He 
is able to play good jokes on us, isn't He? 

Anton 
I thought it kindest to tell you straight out. 

Marna 
Yes. But how did you know? Does everyone 
know? 

Anton 
No one knows. 

Marna 
(Scornfully) 
Simon told you? 

Anton 
No. Simon didn't tell me. I guessed. I guessed 
it, long ago; but to-day when Simon denied it, I was 
sure. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 73 

Marna 
It doesn't matter. And all the time I was gone, all 
these long miles coming back, I knew in my heart 
that he didn't love me. 

{Her head sinks into her hands* Anton goes 
to her, places his hands compassionately on her 
shoulders. She rises.) 
I must go on. 

Anton 
You are too tired. 

Marna 
I can't stay in the village. I wouldn't have come 
back-— only for the boy. 

Anton 
The boy? 

Marna 
Yes, I thought your mother would be here and I 
didn't want to shock her, so I left him on the bench 
outside. 

{She goes out as Anton stands surprised and 
irresolute.) 

Anton 
Marna! — Marna! — ^This alters everything. 

(Marna appears at doorway, with the baby 
in her arms.) 



74 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Marna 
I could not stay here while his child was beating 
at my heart. 

Anton 
Simon's child? 

Marna 
Yes, 

Anton 
He didn't tell me of this. 

Marna 
He didn't know. He doesn't love me and it's too 
late, 



Anton 



What can I do? 



Marna 
There's nothing to do. I'll go back where I came 
from. I can get work at one of the hotels. 

Anton 
You can't go, Marna. You're worn out. 



Marna 
But who in this village, of purity and righteousness, 
will shelter us? 

Anton 
{He goes to her tenderly) 
You shall stay here with my mother and me. Yes. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 75 

Come, Marna. Come, my dear, and rest yourself here. 

You're cold! Til get you some warm broth. 

{As he goes out to the kitchen she sinks slowly 
into the chair and rests there. Then her eyes 
fall on the white robe and the shepherd's staff. 
She realizes what they mean.) 

Anton! Anton! 

Anton 

Yes ? 

(He comes out bearing a cup of broth.) 

Marna 
(Pointing) 
What do these mean? 



Anton 
They mean that from to-day on I am going to strive 
to do as Christ would do. 

Marna 
You have been chosen to play the Christus? 

Anton 
Yes. 

Marna 
Then I cannot stay here. 

Anton 
You can stay here. 



76 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Marna 
But this house is consecrated, as you are. 



Anton 
Yes, consecrated, as was Jesus, to the service of all 
those who are weary and heavy laden, {Goes to her) 
Come, my dear, come and sit down. {Takes her 
toward the armchair.) Drink this. 

{He holds the cup of broth while she drinks.) 

Marna 
But think, Anton, there will be many who are only 
too anxious to find a reason to condemn you ; men who 
are envious; men who coveted for themselves the 
honor that has come to you. 

Anton 
Not many surely. 

Marna 
Yes, yes, Anton. You are so kind and generous 
yourself, you don't realize how small and intolerant 
people can be. They will say you have no right to 
keep here in this house a woman who has sinned. 

Anton 
And they condemned Him because they said: " He 
consorts with publicans and sinners!*' But those 
words didn't frighten the Man in whose way I wish 
to tread, Marna. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 77 

Marna 
{With a certain awe) 
Anton, you make me believe again in the goodness 
Td grown to hate. (Rises) But no; I must go. 
Anton, I must! 

(Outside the merry wedding song is heard,) 

Anton 
Where will you go? 

Marna 
I don't know. But what does that matter? What 
does anything matter now? 

Anton 
Marna. 

Marna 

What is that? Those voices? It's a bridal song. 

Anton 
It's the wedding party. 

Marna 
Simon and his bride? They are going to pass by 
here ? 

Anton 
They are coming here. 

Marna 
Coming? (Draws herself up.) Then let them 



78 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

come. Well — {Indicating the baby) be the first to 
welcome them. Well wish them God's speed on their 
bridal journey! 

Anton 

{Goes to her) 

If you do wish them well, you will say nothing. 

Marna 
Why should I ? No, I have suffered and must go on 
suffering. But Simon shall suffer, too. 

Anton 
What he may suffer and when Is in the hands of 
God. 

Marna 
It is in my hands. My happiness meant nothing to 
him. Their happiness means nothing to me. 

Simon 
{Outside) 
Anton ! Anton ! 

(Anton beseeches her to he quiet and sit down. 
She goes slowly to armchair and sinks into it, 
her back toward the door. Her head drops 
over her baby so she is hardly seen. 

Simon and Ruth enter, followed by three 
or four small children, who are laughing and 
shouting and throwing rice at them. The 
children run off — their laughing is heard during 
the scene.) 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 79 

Simon 
Anton, your mother told us the news, 

Ruth 
It's wonderful, Anton, I'm so glad. I can't even 
tell you. 

(Marna rises irresolute.) 

Anton 
Thank you, my dear. 

Ruth 
{Seeing Marna in the shadow) 
But you are not alone? 

Anton 

{Waiting tensely to see whether Marna will speak 

or disclose her identity. But Marna sinks 

into the chair without speaking) 

I am with a friend. 

Simon 
(Not recognizing her) 
Anton, you said to me " this is the happiest day in 
your life " and now it has turned out to be the happiest 
day in both our lives. 

Ruth 
I hope you will always feel that the happiest day in 
your life, Simon, was the day / came to you. 



8o THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Simon 
Of course, I shall. Don't you mean everything to 
me? 

Ruth 
And I am so happy I want everyone else to be 
happy, too. Don't you, Anton? 

Anton 
If that only could be so, Ruth; but it can't. The 
hour that means joy to some must mean sorrow to 
others. 

Ruth 
That's so like you, Anton. 

Anton 

{Hurrying them off) 

But I must not delay you longer on your journey. 

Simon 
No. It will be dark before we reach the valley 
road. We shall be back in our new home a week 
before the Passion Play begins. 

Anton 

Good-bye. 

Simon and Ruth 
Good-bye. 

( They go off as the laughter of children follows 
them.) 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 8i 

Marna 
{Passionately) 
No, no. I won't! I can't bear it! I meant to cry 
out but something stopped me. But now he shan't 
go away with her like that. Simon! Simon! 

Anton 
{Stopping her) 
Do you want Simon ? 

Marna 
Do I want him? No! I only want to let her 
know the sort of man she is taking to be her husband. 

Anton 
He loves her and she loves him. 

Marna 
Yes, and I hate him. Hate him, do you understand ? 

Anton 
{Placing his hands on her shoulders) 
What can hate do, Marna? It can only drag down 
and destroy. But love can make him into something 
fine and noble. Think before you try to drag him 
down, Marna. {She feels the force of his words,) 
It is in your power to keep her happy — always. 

Marna 
You mean she must never be told? 



82 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
Not by us* Let us make a compact, you and I, 
Marna. This secret shall be between us. We will 
never tell it, either of us. Promise me? 

Marna 
{Turns and goes slowly to armchair) 
I promise. (Looks at baby, then at Anton.) 
Anton, whatever you think of me, you don't feel that 
he is corrupted. Tell me you don't! 

Anton 
(Goes to her J with gentle reproach, his hand under 
the baby*s head) 
This little child?— Why, Marna, dear, didn*t He 
say : " Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven ! " 



Curtain. 



THE SECOND ACT 

THE OPEN AIR STAGE OF THE 
PASSION PLAY THEATRE 

Four Weeks Later. 



THE SECOND ACT 

"W TTT^HEN the curtain rises we see The Passion 
M/M/^ Pl^y Theatre — or rather the portal that 
^ ^ stands before the proscenium-arch, for the 

curtain of the theatre itself is down. Upon this cur- 
tain are painted in chiaroscuro a replica of Michael 
AngeWs Moses flanked in the side panels by Isaiah 
and Jeremiah, 

Against this background Pastor Saunders is con- 
ducting a rehearsal of one of the scenes of the play: to 
wit, the coming of the Three Wise Men. 

The performers all wear their costumes, but grouped 
on the side where The Pastor stands with his prompt 
book, are a number of understudies and helpers who 
watch the playing of the scene. 

The entire assemblage is singing a chant. At its con- 
clusion shouts of " Make way. We bear great tidings '* 
are heard off. 

Omnes 

{Looking off) 
What IS it? What has happened? {Raising their 
arms.) Welcome, stranger. 

First Shepherd 

{Entering) 

The Messiah! The Messiah has come to Judah! 

85 



86 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Omnes 

The Messiah! The Messiah! To Judah! 

First Shepherd 
God has honored his chosen people. It is to our 
great race that the eyes of all men shall turn, to our 
Messiah, who shall be the Saviour of mankind. 
{The Second Shepherd enters.) 

Dathan 
Wait! Wait! What authority have you for these 
tidings? Where is this man who claims he is the 
Messiah ? 

Second Shepherd 
There is no man. The Messiah has come as a 
child born of woman. This is the night of His nativity, 

Omnes 
(Look at each other in awe) 
His Nativity! 

Dathan 
What nonsense is this? The Messiah a new born 
child? 

Second Shepherd 
It is true. Close to midnight we were tending our 
flocks, good master, on the hill beyond the olive groves. 
Suddenly the clouds above us seemed to part and a 
radiance shone down upon the mountainside as though 
the gates of Heaven had opened. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 87 

Omnes 

{Awed) 
Through the gates of Heaven ! 

Second Shepherd 
And then we heard the voices 



{The chorus of angel voices sings.) 

First Shepherd 
{Catching his arms and interrupting him) 
Hark! Hark! You can hear them now. 

Omnes 
Yes! Yes! 

{All turn and look off to Heaven. The women 
raise their arms in supplication. The Shep- 
herds and some of the women and children kneel 
in prayer.) 

Second Shepherd 
{As singing finishes) 
Can you doubt now ? 

Omnes 
No! No! 

Dathan 
We must summon the Priests; they should hear of 
this. 

Selpha 
{Pointing off) 
Look! Look! A Caravan! 



88 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

A Villager 
Aye indeed, a mighty caravan, and three men dressed 
in strange garments walking beside their camels. 

Dathan 

Who are they? 

Selpha 
Strangers from afar. 

First Magi 
{Calling off) 
Peace be with you. 

Omnes 
Peace be with you. 

First Magi 
{Entering with his arms raised in " token of friend^ 
ship/' He is followed by the other two Wise Men) 
Peace be with you! 

Omnes 
Peace be with you! 

First Magi 
Peace and good will. 

Omnes 

Welcome. 

First Magi 
Is this the village of Bethlehem? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 89 

Omnes 
Yes, yes. This is Bethlehem. 

First Magi 
{Turning to the other Wise Men) 
Our long journey has ended, my friends. We have 
but to find the child. 

Dathan 

The child? 

First Magi 
We are three Wise Men come from distant lands to 
see the Messiah of the Jews. 

Second Magi 
We bring him gifts to lay at his feet. 

Dathan 
What do men of distant lands know of our Messiah ! 

Omnes 

Yes, yes. What? 

First Magi 
The Angels of God have told us. To-night a child is 
born, who shall be as the brazen Serpent in the hands 
of your great Moses. {All moved with awe.) He 
shall be raised up for all men to see the goodness and 
beauty that would dwell upon the earth, if we could 
all live our lives in the pattern of His. Raise your 



go THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

voices. Cry Hosanna! For this is the great day! In 
a humble stable stall in Bethlehem, there lies the Man 
of Men! The Messiah. The Saviour! 

{As he lifts his hands to heaven the entire 
crowd sings the Hosanna, At the end of this, 
the rehearsal comes to an end and they all break 
from their positions amid general conversation.) 

Pastor 
Very good, my children. 

A Villager 
Listen to the Pastor. Sh! 

{They all are attentive. During this Adams^ 
the newspaper man, enters and mingles with the 
villagers, ) 

Pastor 
To-morrow we will rehearse again both the scene 
of The Three Wise Men and of the Garden of Geth- 
semane. And you will please all wear your costumes. 
Roman Stadler, our art director, must see the colors 
of the robes for his groupings. Will two of the little 
girls, Agnes Hettler 

Agnes 
{Running to Pastor) 
Yes, Pastor. 

(Timothy follows her. She shoves him away.) 

Pastor 
And little Ottilie 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 91 

{A little girl who has been standing with 
Selpha comes through the players to the 
Pastor.) 

Ottilie 
Yes, Pastor. 

Pastor 
Please collect the palms and give them in charge of 
my sister? 

{Girls collect the palms from the choir and 
carry them off.) 

Timothy 
Can't I help? 

Pastor 
No; only the little girls. 

Timothy 
You always give the easy things to them. 

Pastor 
Sit down, Timmy. V\\ find plenty for you to 
do. 

(Paul goes to Timmy^ takes him by the scuff 
of the neck, and turns him at the same time seat- 
ing him. His mother shakes him and cuffs his 
ears. All commence to chatter and laugh.) 

Pastor 
One minute, my dears. I have just a few more 



92 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

words to say and these concern you all. ( To Timo- 
thy.) Even the children. 

(Timothy and a little girl come forward and 
sit down facing the Pastor. Agnes, Ottilie 
and her little brother also run forward and sit 
down at the Pastor's feet. All turn and listen 
attentively.) 
In one week from to-day you will hear the cannon 
boom that announces the commencement of the twenty- 
fourth Passion Play. For two hundred and eighty 
years, we have kept a vow made at the time of the great 
plague and presented this divine tragedy in commemo- 
ration of God^s mercy and to His honor and glory. 
I want the play of this decade to fall behind neither 
in beauty, in conscientious effort, nor in the reverence 
with which it is given. 

Omnes 
Yes, certainly, Pastor. Yes, we will. 

Pastor 
Pray for help in these matters and work hard on 
every task, however humble, that has been assigned to 
you. 

Omnes 
Yes, yes, Pastor. We will. Certainly. 

{All how their heads and reverently clasp their 
hands as he offers prayer,) 

Pastor 
May the blessing of our all-merciful Father rest up- 
on your efforts. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 93 

{The choir chants the Amen, After the sing- 
ing stops there is a hushed silent prayer. The 
Pastor turns away smiling and a buzz of con- 
versation immediately rises, Agnes^ Timmy 
and other children join hands and jump about 
shouting and laughing. The First Magi grabs 
one of the little ones and lifts him above his 
head. Everything in confusion,) 

Susanna 
( To Pastor) 
May I speak to you a moment, Pastor. It's about 
my dress. It's impossible. 

Paul 
{Taking her arm) 
Come, Susanna, the Pastor has other things to think 
of besides the fit of your robe. 

Susanna 
It isn't the fit; it's the color. It makes me look 
yellow. 

(Victoria laughs, Susanna glares at her,) 

Paul 
You come on with two hundred others and stand 
in the back at that. Who'll see you? 

Susanna 
Heaven sees us. The Pastor said so. And I'm not 
anxious to look yellow even for the saints and angels. 






94 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Paul 
Come home. {Takes her arm, tries to lead her 
away,) It's dinner time and Fm as empty as a broken 
kettle. 

Susanna 
{Slaps his hand and goes to Pastor) 
But why can't Victoria wear my costume? 

Paul 
Why, she'd look yellower than you would. 

Susanna 
Yes. But she's so yellow it wouldn't matter. 

(Victoria starts towards Susanna. Pastor 
stops her.) 

Paul 
{Taking her arm) 
Oh, come on, I'm hungry. 

{They go off, passing Adams who looks after 
them and smiles. The villagers and players 
in Passion Play go off talking and laughing in 
two and threes.) 

Raymond 
Please, Pastor, couldn't you put me in a dressing- 
booth with someone else than Peter Gast? 

Pastor 
Don't tell me you and Peter are unfriendly. That 
is no spirit for this place. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 95 

Raymond 
(Peevishly) 
Oh, we're friendly enough, but he will keep pray- 
ing out loud while Fm studying my lines. 

Pastor 
That's dreadful. FU see what can be done. 
(More of the Villagers go off.) 

Raymond 
I should think since Fm to play the Apostle Paul, 
I might have a dressing-booth to myself. 

(Victoria grabs him by the arm and leads him 
away. Agnes and Timothy and the remainder 
of the Villagers have also gone off, in twos and 
threes, talking together as they go. Selpha and 
two little children are standing by watching.) 

Adams 
(To Pastor) 
Excuse me. Human nature is just about the same 
here as on Broadway. 

Pastor 
(Courteously) 
I beg your pardon? 

Adams 
I say, human nature is much the same the world 
over, isn't it? 



96 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Pastor 
Yes ; the world over and from age to age, it changes 
very little. 

Adams 
{Indicating) 
So this IS your stage? 

Pastor 
Part of It, {Indicating) The tableaux are shown 
back of the proscenium. 

Adams 
Tell me, Pastor, who makes your production? 

Pastor 
Production ? 

Adams 
Yes. Do you use painted scenery? 

Pastor 
As little as possible. Behind this arch is a small 
rocky amphitheatre. We use that just as it is for 
the outdoor scenes. {Places his hands to his mouth 
and calling,) Martin! 

Martin 
{Back of the Passion Play Curtain) 
Yes, Pastor. 

Pastor 
Will you please raise the curtain? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 97 

Martin 
Certainly, I will, Pastor. 

Pastor 
The men are at work setting the stage for the scene 
of the crucifixion. 

( The curtain slowly rises disclosing two crosses 
on the hill of Golgotha: a memorable picture 
even though lacking the central figure — the 
Cross of the Saviour. A large tree with over- 
hanging branches is also visible at the side and 
in back and at the sides are paths through the 
shrubbery which lead off. The place is bathed 
in warm sunlight. 

Three men are at work on the scene. Jonas 
KuRZ is spading the earth out of a hole in which 
the central cross is to be set. James Mayre^ 
with a pick in his hand, stands facing him. 
Martin Gast^ a pleasant faced elderly man, 
is pruning one of the bushes. They are all 
three in their work-a-day clothes.) 

Adams 
Great work! 

Pastor 
The only thing we do is to stretch a canopy on rainy 
days. (Smiles) It wouldn't do to have Peter and 
John going about with umbrellas. 

Adams 
Say, I think it's great the nice, cozy way you 



98 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

people have of speaking of all these sacred person- 
ages. 

Pastor 
Ah, they're real to us. That is why. Fm afraid 
our familiarity sounds like sacrilege sometimes to those 
for whom the story of Jesus is more a pious legend 
than an actuality. But I must ask you to excuse me, 
sir. I have a private rehearsal at my home and they 
are waiting for me. If I can be of any further service 
to you, pray command me. 

Adams 
I beg your pardon. There's one thing I'm not quite 
clear on. How long is the run? 

Pastor 
{Puzzled) 
The run? 

Adams 
Yes, how long do you play? 

Pastor 
Every Sunday from the first of June to the end of 
September. 

Adams 
And then you lay off for ten years! 

Pastor 
{Nonplussed^ 
Lay off? 



f 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 99 

Adams 
Yes. You know. Quit. Lay off. 

(Catalina whispers to the Pastor.) 

Pastor 
{Laughing) 
Lay off! I never heard the expression before: Lay 
off! 

Adams 
What you need here is a manager. 

Pastor 
Yes; but weVe been running, as you call it, since 1633. 

Adams 
Since 1633! Some run! 

Pastor 
Yes. Yes — I understand. {Turns to Catalina 
and Victoria who join him.) Some run. What a 
quaint expression. Some run. I must remember that. 
{They go off laughing.) 

Adams 
{To Selpha) 
This story of yours has certainly got the popular 
appeal. 

Selpha 
Naturally. Yes. Excuse me! 

{She and the children go off. Adams goes up 
and speaks to Jonas.) 



100 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Adams 
I beg your pardon, where is the other cross? 



Jonas 
{Looking up) 
I don't know. You'd better ask Anton Rendel. He 
made it. 

{Turns back to his work.) 

Agnes 
{Who has been playing on the roots of the tree with 
Timmy) 
Anton made the cross before he knew that it was 
to be his cross. 

Adams 
Is that so? rU use that. Tell me, little girl, did he 
make the crosses for the two apostles? 

Agnes 
{Laughing) 
Apostles? Those crbsses aren't for apostles. They're 
for the two thieves. 

Adams 
Is that so ? I'll riemember that. Say, I never thought 
I'd live to regret that I played hooky from Sunday 
School. 

Agnes 
Why even little Timmy knows that. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD loi 

Adams 
{Humbly) 
I don't doubt it. I bet everybody in this town could 
put it all over me when it comes to the religious dope. 

Agnes 
Why did they send you here? To try and make 
you good? 

Adams 

No. Fm afraid the managing editor isn't much 

interested in the state of my soul. The paper had 

arranged with a prominent minister to come over and 

write about the Passion Play. But he was taken sick. 

Agnes 
And are you a minister, too? 

Adams 
No. I'm a baseball reporter. 

Timothy 
What is baseball? 

Adams 
{Horrified) 
What is baseball? Say, don't you ever pick on me 
again for not knowing about your religion. 

Timothy 
Oh, it's a reU_gionf 



102 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Adams 
You bet it I's. Qjme here. 

(Timothy jumps down from free. Adams 
takes his hand*) 
You come with me. Well go and get some other 
little heathen and I'll try and teach it to you. 

Timothy 
(Draws away) 
But Vm not a heathen. 

Adams 
Of course you're not. (Taking his hand again.) 
But you come with me. In my bag at the hotel IVe 
got a glove and a mask and a ball. Gee, I know how 
it feels now to be a missionary. 
{They go off together.) 

Timothy 
{Outside) 
Come on, Agnes, he's going to teach us that new 
game. 

Agnes 
Wait for me, Timothy. 

{Jumps down from tree, and runs out after 
them.) 

Timothy 

{Off) 
I can't wait, you're too slow for me. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 103 

Agnes 
{Off) 
Oh, am I? I can beat you running. 

(Martin and James now re-enter up the hill. 
Martin is carrying several wedges to drive into 
the ground to stiffen the cross and James is 
carrying a wooden socket which is to be put in 
the hole and into which the cross is to be 
placed.) 

James 
{Going to hole) 
Here's the socket for the cross. 

Jonas 
{Indicating) 
All right. WeVe dug the hole for it. 

Martin 
Anton is bringing the cross down himself. I passed 
him on the hill. 



Alone? 



Jonas 
{Suspiciously) 



Martin 

No ; old Nathan is with him. i 



I! 



Jonas 
{Sits on rock below tree) 
Better wait till they get here and be sure the socket 
fits. 



104 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

James 
It*s all right. I measured the base of the cross in 
Anton's shop. 

{Puts the socket in the hole for the cross. 
Then he and Martin stamp the earth around 
it to hold it in position.) 

Jonas 
Tell me: did you see her there? 

James 
Who? 

Jonas 
The strange woman who sta5^s within doors, and only 
walks out at night. 

Martin 
Some relative from Kroonwald or Berne, most like. 

Jonas 
Then why don't they ask the neighbors to come in 
and drink a cup of coffee with her? 

Martin 
You know they have no time for such things at this 
season. 

Jonas 
I know that there is some mystery about her, and 
that their door is kept closed and the latch set. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 105 

James 
Jonas is right. Else why would this woman never 
go with them to the church? 

Jonas 
Yes, tell me that, Martin? 

Martin 
Why don't you question Anton, if this woman so 
concerns you? 

* Jonas 

I did question Nathan, 

Martin 
(Chuckling) 
ril wager you got little out of him. 

Jonas 
He answered that Anton had a great deal of business 
just now and how would I like to hire myself to help 
him mind it? 

Martin 
{Laughs) 
That's just what he would say. 

Jonas 
Oh, so you think it funny that a Jew should be 
allowed to speak that way to a Christian ? 

Martin 
To such a Christian as you are — surely. Besides, 



io6 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

he's right. This woman you talk of is no business of 
yours. 

Jonas 
It's the business of every man to guard the honor of 
the village. Didn't the Pastor charge us each to see 
that at this time especially the village should be kept 
pure and holy ? 

James 
Do you think the Pastor knows about this woman? 

Jonas 
No; for I sounded him. 

Martin 
That's strange enough surely, with all the gossips 
there be in this town. 

Jonas 
(Raising his voice) 
Gossip or not, I want to know who this woman is, 
and what she is doing in the house of the man who 
plays the Christus! 

(Anton and Nathan come in, bearing the 
cross between them. They hear the last speech.) 

Anton 
Very well, Nathan. We will put it down here. 

Jonas 
{Turning, confused, when Anton looks at him) 
Ah, Anton. So you've brought the cross? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 107 

Anton 
Yes. 

Jonas 
{After a paused 
Well, weVe made ready for its setting. 

Anton 
{Going to Jonas) 
What IS it that you wish to know about my house, 
Jonas ? 

Jonas 
{Repeats as though not understanding) 
About your house ? Oh, you mean what James and 
I were saying when you came in? 

Anton 
What you were saying. 

Martin 
Jonas wants to know about a woman that he says 
is living at your house. 

Nathan 
The hound that is always sniffing for refuse has 
had his nose well trained in his own kennel. 

Jonas 
That will do. I want none of your Hebrew 
proverbs. 



io8 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
Listen to me : all of you here are my friends. 

Jonas 

All I wish IS that you would speak out and stop the 

cackle of these slanderers. I have defended your name 

whenever I have heard them gossiping, Anton. In 

fact I have always tried to behave like a true friend. 

Nathan 
Oh, what a mistake that council made when they 
failed to give you the part of Judas. 

Anton 
Please, Nathan. (To Jonas) I had no idea there 
had been talk in the village about the girl that my 
mother and I have been sheltering. 

Jonas 
I have told all who spoke to me that I was su.e she 
was some relative. 

Anton 
No. She is no kin of ours except as all, who are 
needy and suffering, are our kin. 

Jonas 
Well, no one can gainsay your right to have a visitor 
come and stay with you. 

Anton 
She is not a visitor either. She is only one who has 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 109 

had her share of life's buffetings and who asks nothing 
but to go her way unnoticed for a while. 

James 
She wants to be alone? 



Anton 
For a little time, yes. But I have been planning, 
as soon as we are freed from our preparations for the 
play, to ask my friends to come and help make life 
easier for her. 

Jonas 
You wish me to tell this to the gossipers? 

Anton 
Will you? Tell all my friends that I cannot speak 
more freely yet. I have given my word. 

James 
But if she does not wish you to say her name, it must 
be someone who is known to us? 



Why, I- 



Anton 
(Hesitating) 



Nathan 
{Breaking in) 
Do you want to see to the setting of the cross 
now? 



no THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
Yes. {He goes up and raises it; Nathan starts to 
help him.) No, thank you, Nathan. I have to carry 
It alone in the play. It's as well that I should know its 
weight. 

(Jonas draws James aside. Martin hurries 
on to rock to guide the end of cross into the 
socket in the hole if necessary. Then he drives 
a wedge into the socket to stiffen the cross. The 
others are silent till the cross is up.) 

Jonas 
{In a low voice, to James) 
There: what did I tell you! This woman is a bad 
lot. 

James 
Living in the house of the Christus ! 

(Timothy runs in carrying a toy wooden gun.) 

Timothy 
Anton ! Anton ! 

Anton 
Ah, Timmy! 

Timothy 
Look what Ruth brought me back from the place 
where she's been. 

Anton 
What! Have Ruth and Simon come back? 

{He and Nathan exchange looks of pleasure.) 




o 

Ji4 



1 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD in 

Timothy 
Yes; they came an hour ago. They are up at their 
new house. 

Anton 
I must go up and greet them. 
(He goes out.) 

Timothy 
(To Nathan) 
Isn't it a splendid gun, Nathan? Oh, I wish I 
could find a bear to shoot! 

Nathan 
There are a couple of jackals over there. 

(Pointing to Jonas and James who are talk- 
ing together. Timothy shortly after pretends 
to stalk an animal and goes out of sight in the 
bushes.) 

Timothy 
Where? Where are the jackals, Nathan? 

Jonas 
Well, I hope it is all right, but I don't fancy all these 
mysteries and concealments. 

James 
No, the life of one who bears such responsibility as 
Anton should be open and fearless. 



112 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Jonas 
{Shaking his head sorrowfully) 
Vvti afraid these words of his are not going to stop 
the tongues from wagging. 

Nathan 
As to that none should know better than you, Jonas. 

Jonas 
What do you mean? 

Nathan 
What ails your wits, James Mayre? And you, 
Martin, that you listen to the words of this fellow? 
Don't you know he is eaten up with envy ? Can't you 
see how he hates the man who was given the honor he 
hoped to win? He wanted the role of the Christus 
himself. He felt he had the gift for it. 

Jonas 
It's a lie. 

Nathan 
A lie, is it? Then if it isn't for malice, why did I find 
you skulking about Anton's house in the dark and 
trying to peer through the crack of the shutter? 

Jonas 
{Goes toward hirrij raising his arm) 
By Heaven, if you weren't an old man ! 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 113 

Nathan 
( Contemptuously ) 
Strike me. Don't let that stay you. I'm a Jew, 
remember ! 

Jonas 
Yes, you're a Jew and we've borne with you here be- 
cause your friend, Anton, took you under his wing. 
But wait; Anton's power here may fail and when it 
does, I warn you, you'd better start quickly back down 
the road that brought you here. 



James 
That is right. 

Nathan 
Yes; " drive the Jew from your gates! " " Cleanse 
your Temples! " No matter that those temples were 
given you by a Jew. Have you, who hate the Jew so 
bitterly, ever stopped to think that if it were not for 
our race you would have no Holy Book, no Apostles, 
no Saviour? Very well, my friends, if Anton's is the 
only Christian voice that will speak for me : when that 
voice is unheeded I will be glad to take up my staff 
and go back to my own people! 

{Draws himself up proudly and goes out,) 

Martin 
Is it true, Jonas, that you tried to peep through 
Anton's shutter? 



114 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Jonas 
(Defiantly) 
And what if I did? 

James 
It is right to do anything to keep a scandal from 
touching the village. 

Timothy 
{Coming in) 
Where has Nathan gone? 

Jonas 
Timothy! Oh, Timmy! Come here. 

Timothy 
Yes? 

Jonas 
Tell us, Timmy, you live next door to Anton? 

Timothy 
Yes. 

Jonas 
And you go often to his house? 

Timothy 
Anton IS my friend. 

Jonas 
We want to ask you, Timmy, about the woman 
who is staying at Anton's. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 115 

Timothy 
I like her. 

Jonas 
Do you know her name? 

Timothy 
Anton calls her Marna. 

Jonas 
Marna! 

Martin 

{Steps toward Timmy) 
Not Marna Lynd? 

Timothy 
I don't know. 

Jonas 
Of course, it's Marna Lynd! 

James 
Didn't I say his words showed it must be someone 
known to us? 

Jonas 
That wild creature! 

James 
{To Timothy) 
What is she doing there? 



ii6 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Timothy 
I wish she wasn't there. 

Martin 
Why? 

Timothy 
Anton's mother is always saying we mustn't play see- 
saw with the long-boards any more like we used to, 
nor laugh, nor talk out loud. 

James 
And why not? 

Martin 
Anton said she was sick. 



Timothy 
No. It isn't for her we must keep quiet, but the 
baby. 

James 
{Looks at Martin dumbfounded) 
The baby/ 

Jonas 

So that's it! 

Martin 

My wife said at the time when Marna left that that 
must be the reason. 

James 
And she's so bold and shameless she brings her child 
back to the village. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 117 

Jonas 
And into the sacred home of the Christus ! 



Martin 
Anton surely should know better than to give lodg- 
ing to a wanton at this season. 

Jonas 
If this gets about a fine mock they'll make of our 
vows of holy living. 

Martin 
It mustnt get about. 

James 
{Starting) 
We must tell the Pastor at once. 

Martin 
(Stops him) 
No, no, wait. Anton has always been a good friend 
and neighbor to us. And it is not for us to turn tale- 
bearer against him. 

Jonas 
Are you going to let this woman stay in his house 
till the strangers begin to gather in the village ? 

Martin 

But can't we be rid of her without running to the 
Pastor like a pack of children? No, no. We will 
see the girl ourselves and tell her she must go. 



ii8 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

James 
What do you think, Jonas? 

Jonas 
*Tis just the same as telling: to go to the house and 
turn her and her child down the road. 

Martin 
No ; we won't do that either. Well send for her to 
come here and talk with us. {Turning to Timothy 
who is stalking in back.) Timmy! 

Timothy 
Yes. 

Martin 
Look : we want you to run fast to Anton's house and 
ask for Marna Lynd. 

Timothy 
What? 

Martin 
Marna Lynd. Say the name clear. {To others) 
She must know that it's no more a secret. {To 
Timothy) Say that she is to come here. 

Timothy 
But she never goes out anywhere. 

Martin 
Say that if she doesn't come and quickly, it will mean 
harm to Anton. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 119 

Timothy 
{Impressed) 
Harm to Anton ? 

Martin 
Yes, run. Run quick! 

Timothy 
If It's for Anton, she'll come. 
(Timothy runs off.) 





Simon 




{Outside) 


Hello, Timmy! 






Timothy 




{Off) 


Hello! 






James 


Here's Simon. 





Jonas 
Be careful what you say to him of this. He is 
Anton's best friend. 

(Simon enters up hill in back,) 

Simon 
Well, your work doesn't seem to be very hard this 
year. 

James 
Why, here's the young bridegroom. 



I20 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Martin 
Welcome home! 

Simon 
We just got back an hour ago. Tell me, how is the 
play? What is the news in the village? 

Martin 
News we've just heard on which you can give 
counsel, Simon. 

Jonas 
(Aside to Martin) 
Fool! 

Simon 
(To Jonas) 
What is it? Have those players in Berne tried to 
get our great actor to join them again? 

Martin 
Simon, a little while ago we learned that there is 
a wanton in the village. 

Simon 
(Startled) 
A wanton? 

Martin 
Yes. Lodging here in the Passion Season with a 
child born out of wedlock! 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 121 

James 
And the visitors already beginning to come. 

Martin 
For that reason I say we should be rid of her as 
quietly as possible. 

Simon 
Surely. 

Martin 
But Jonas is not agreed. He is for telling the 
Pastor and having her questioned. 

Jonas 
No, no. But I say, we should question her. We 
should know who is the father of the child. 

Simon 
You mean she is one of our own village girls? 

Jonas 
We must be sure that he who sinned with her is not 
playing in the sacred drama. 

Ruth 
{Calling off) 
Simon! 

James 
'Tis your wife, Simon. 



122 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Simon 
{Speaks in lower voice to Jonas) 
Learn what you can surely; but Martin is right: 
it's best to keep it quiet. The eyes of the world are 
on our village now. 

Martin 
We have sent for her to speak with her. 

Simon 
Then tell her to take her child and leave the village 
at once. 

(Ruth enters over hill.) 

Martin 
{Detaining him) 
There is reason why 'tis better for her to wait 
till night-fall. 

Ruth 
Simon, I just met old Nathan and he tells me that 
Anton has gone up to our house to greet us. 

Simon 
How is it we didn't pass him on the road? 

James 
He was here when he heard that you had returned. 

Simon 
Oh, then he went up through the wood path. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 123 

(Simon* and Ruth sit on rock whispering 
happily together.) 

Jonas 
{Aside to Martin) 
But what of Marna? 

Martin 
We will talk with her out at the gate. And we can 
be mending that broken turnstile while we wait. 

Jonas 
I must go back to the village. I shall not be long. 

Martin 
{Suspiciously) 
What business have you got there? 

Jonas 
My own business, Martin. Shall I give you the 
old Jew's saying? The one that made you laugh? 
{Goes out,) 

Martin 
{Looking after him.) 
I wonder what mischief that fox is planning. 

James 
{Smiling at SiMON^ who has just put his arm about 
Ruth's shoulder) 
What! Haven't you two had enough of loving and 
fondling on your bridal journey? 



124 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Simon 
No ; and we're never going to have enough either. 

James 
My wife tells me I used to talk like that but I 
don't believe it. 

{The men laugh and go out together,) 

Ruth 
Simon, what were they asking you when I came in ? 

Simon 
Nothing, dear one, that you need be troubled with. 

Ruth 
But I don't want you to have any secrets from me. 

Simon 
Secrets? 

Ruth 
I want to be a real mate. I want to feel that you 
trust me and would share everything with me, big 
and little. 

Simon 
Yes, I know, dear; but if there are things that are 
ugly or would make you feel sorry and sad? 

Ruth 
Even those things, dear. For if sharing a joy makes 



m. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 125 

it twice as much, sharing a load makes it half as 
heavy. So tell me, why did you hush your voices 
just now, when I came near you? 

Simon 
They say there's a woman living in the village who 
has borne a child out of wedlock since weVe been 
away. 

Ruth 
Oh, Simon! 

Simon 
And thinking of the vow to keep the place clean and 
holy, they want to send her away before the strangers 
begin to come. 

Ruth 
What have the strangers coming got to do with 
its being clean and holy ? 

Simon 
Why, they'll talk and make it seem to the world 
that our village is no better than any other village, 

Ruth 
Oh! I see. So, they make it clean by sending away 
a sweet, little, innocent baby instead of driving out 
the man who wronged this poor girl! 

Simon 
Why, Ruth! 



126 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Ruth 
{With irony) 
Some stranger might ask questions about the child 
and its mother. That is why she must go. While 
the father may stay. And when she is gone the village 
will be clean. Yes, just as clean as any other whitened 
sepulchre ! 

Simon 
{Goes to her) 
Ruth, what are you saying? 

Ruth 
Surely, you can make them see? They don't realize 
it. That is all. But they will listen to you, Simon, 

Simon 
What do you want me to do ? 

Ruth 
Tell them if they must have shame and punishment, 
to place it where it belongs: upon the man. 

Simon 
But they say the girl is a wanton. 

Ruth 
Even then the man should be made to share. She 
has given a child life at the risk of her own. She 
has suffered. He has only enjoyed. Tell them that, 
Simon ! 

(Timothy runs on followed by Marna.) 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 127 

Timothy 
{Looking around) 
They^re not here ! 

(Simon turns at the sound of the child's voice 
and sees Marna. There is a moment's silence.) 

Marna 
{Almost inaudible) 
Excuse me. I was looking for some friends. 
{Sihe turns away) 

Simon 
Marna! 

Marna 
Come, Timmy, we'll be going. 

(Timothy runs to her. She catches him by 
the shoulders to steady herself .) 

Simon 
{With an effort) 
Marna, I — I didn't know you'd come back to the 
village. 

Marna 
IVe been back the month past. 

Ruth 

(Sweetly) 
Are you the Marna Fve heard Anton's mother 
speaking of? 



128 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Marna 
Yes, rm the Mama who ran away from the village. 

Ruth 
I know: because someone was cruel to you. I used 
to feel so sorry for you when they talked of it. 

Marna 

{Rather coldly, keeping her eyes on Simon) 

Thank you, but I didn't deserve your sympathy. 

Ruth 
{Placing her hand on SiMON^s arm) 
Well, Simon. Have you lost your tongue? You 
know you haven't introduced me to Marna. 

Marna 
I know you are Simon's wife. I have seen you 
before. 

Ruth 
You have? {She goes to her.) When? 



Marna 
In Anton Rendel's shop. 

Simon 
You were the woman that day — ? 

Marna 
Yes: the hour you were married. 

{There is again a moment's pause. RuTH 
feels some strain in the situation.) 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 129 

Ruth 

Timmy, did you see Anton when you passed our 
house ? 

Timothy 
No. 

Ruth 
I think, Simon, I won't wait longer. I will go on 
to Anton's house and greet Aunt Mary. 

Simon 
111 go with you. 

Ruth 
Aren't you going to do what I asked? (He doesnt 
understand,) Speak to those men, dear. Make them 
see. 

Simon 
I'll do what I can. 

Ruth 
I'm so glad. Are you going home, Timmy? 

Marna 
{Gazing at Simon) 
Yes, Timmy, go. 

Timothy 
(Starts up after Ruth) 
All right. You needn't be afraid of anything, Ruth. 
I've got my gun. 



130 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Ruth 
ril wait there till you come for me, Simon. 

Simon 
All right. 

Timothy 
{As they go off together, over the hill) 
Nathan says there are jackals in this place; but there 
aren't any jackals, are there? 

Ruth 
{Outside) 
Perhaps he means wolves. 

Marna 
Well, Simon, I have often pictured what way we 
should meet; but I didn't think it would be here. 

Simon 
I thought that you had left the village for good. 

Marna 
You hoped that I had. 

Simon 
I hoped that you had found a happiness you never 
found here. 

Marna 
I found happiness here once, for a few days In the 
Springtime. Do you remember? {Bitterly) Or have 
these last Spring days made you forget that other time ? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 131 

Simon 
You have a right to lash me. 

Marna 
No, I haven't. You're not to blame. The blame 
lies on the world which tells a man he must deck 
out his passion with a pretence of love if he would 
raise himself above the brutes. 

Simon 
It isn't true. I did love you — only — — ? 

Marna 
Only not enough. And so you took the cruel soft- 
hearted way and left me without a word, instead of 
telling me the truth. 

Simon 
I thought that you would forget me. 

Marna 
And, anyway, you could forget me and not have to 
face tears, reproaches or pleading. 

Simon 
If you knew how bitterly I've repented. 

Marna 

{With scorn) 
Repentence? What good is that? Does your re- 
pentence give me back my good name? 



132 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Simon 
Your good name? What do people know? 

Marna 
Not about you. Have no fear. 

Simon 
But how did they find out? 

Marna 
They haven't all found out — yet. But they will. 
There's no helping that. Our child tells my story. 

Simon 
{Dumbfounded, he turns slowly to her) 
Our child! 

Marna 
Yes: Oh! don't pretend surprise. You must have 
guessed why I went away. 

Simon 
{Hoarsely) 
Before God, I didn't. Oh, Mama: this is terrible. 

Marna 

That you destroyed my innocence is nothing? But 
that we created innocence is terrible? 

Simon 
{With sudden apprehension) 
Marna, why did you come here now? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 133 

Marna 
Why? 

Simon 
Yes, tell me: were you sent for? 

Marna 
Yes, little Timmy brought me a message. He said 
if I didn't come, it might mean harm to Anton 
RendeL 

Simon 
Anton ? 

Marna 
I am living in his home. 

Simon 
Then it's you. It's you they meant! Oh! my God, 
and I said — ^what did I say? 

Marna 
What is It? What do you mean? 

Simon 
They said : " There is a woman with a love-child, 
living in this village " and / said: **They cannot stay 
here, they must be driven away." 

Marna 

You said that? 



134 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Simon 
My own child ! I was asking them to drive out my 
own child! 

(Anton enters and stands on mound looking 
down on them in surprise*) 

Anton 
Marna! And Simon! 

Simon 
{Choking down his emotion) ^ 
Anton, Marna tells me — Did you say that it is at 
Anton's home that you are staying? 

Marna 
{Still gazing at him incredulously) 
Yes. 

Simon 
{Turning to Anton) 
Then you know ? 

Anton 
Yes. I know. 

Simon 
(To Marna) 
And who else? Tell me who else knows? 

Marna 
That you are the father of my boy? No one in 
all the world knows that but we three here. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 135 

Simon 
Thank Heaven! 

Marna 
Yes, and you may thank Anton, too. It was he who 
stopped me from crying out the truth that evening in 
his shop. 

Simon 
You would have told my wife? 

Marna 
(Bitterly) 
Your wife in name she was then, while I was your 
wife in truth. 

Simon 
But you won't tell her? Youll never let her know? 

Anton 
{Coming to them) 
Why are you afraid, Simon ? Ruth knows that you 
wronged someone and it didn't make her love you the 
less. 

Marna 
{Halted) 
You told her that? 

Simon 
{As though it were wrung from him) 
No. 



136 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
{Hardly believing) 
But that afternoon in the shop you said you told 
her. 

Simon 
I lied to you, just as I lied to her. I hadn t the 
courage to tell her. You understand so much, Anton, 
but you don't understand love. 

Anton 

No? 

Simon 
You don't know what it means to love a woman the 
way I love Ruth. 

Marna 
{With a sudden idea as she thinks she can separate 
them) 
So, you thought you would lose her? 

Simon 
Yes ; and I should have. I know it now. And if I 
should have lost her then, I should lose her now a 
thousand times more; for I've lied to her and every lie 
has bred and multiplied till she'd never trust me or 
respect me again. 

Anton 
And you think that on those lies you can build a 
home of happiness and love? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 137 

Simon 
You don't understand, Anton. 



Anton 
{Gently) 
Yes, I think I do. 

Marna 
(Triumphantly) 
This much your lies have done; they have placed 
your happiness in my hands. 

Simon 
(Afraid) 
Mama! 

Anton 

(With forceful dignity) 

And his happiness is safe in your hands, Mama! 

Marna 
(She looks at him) 
He cared a lot for my happiness didn't he? 

Anton 
Revenge is a poor thing; one plans for it, and when 
it comes does it seem worth the taking, Marna? 

Marna 
(Lowers her head) 
You are right. 

(Turns to Anton with her face in her hands,) 



138 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Simon 
(Goes to her) 
God bless you, Marna. And I will make amends 
— as far as I can. (Marna turns from him.) Anton, 
some of these men have heard that Marna is staying 
in your house. They are waiting out at the gate to 
meet her and send her away. 

Anton 
Who are they? 

Simon 
Martin and James Mayre. (Starts up on to rock.) 
I will go to them now and try to persuade them. 

Anton 
They want to send her away? 

Marna 
And they are right. It is better that I should go. 

Anton 
With that little child in your arms? No, no; they 
couldn't be so cruel, so senseless. Let me speak to 
them. {Joining Simon) They have children, too, and 
I will make them see. 

Simon 
Yes, they will listen to you. 

Marna 
Perhaps they will let me stay somewhere else — ^not 
in your home. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 139 

Anton 
Why ? Has that little one made you a leper ? No, 
Marna, for all life is from God. Don't be afraid and 
wait for me here. Come, Simon, 

{He goes down the rock. A low murmur of 
the crowd is heard in the distance. SiMON 
pauses for a moment) 

Simon 
{Looking after AnTOn) 
If I could only be like him. 

Marna 

{Nervously) 
What's that? Those voices? 

Simon 
It is the log-cutters going by on the road above. 
{He goes off after Anton. Marna is alone. 
She looks about in despair. The murmur of the 
crowd comes nearer and nearer. She is puz- 
zled, then more and more frightened. She starts 
up after Simon.) 

Marna 
Simon, I am afraid. Simon! 

{She is now trembling with fear. As the noise 
increases she gives a terrified shriek.) 
Simon ! 

{The crowd now rush on led by JoNAS, who 
has incited them against Marna. Margot^ 



140 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

James, Paul, Raymond and The Elders are 
among them. They are all saying " Where is 
she? '' There she is/* " Wanton/* etc. They 
surge about her. Marna has run up on the 
rock and stands cowering in terror, with her 
hands behind her, clutching the cross for sup- 
port.) 

Jonas 
(Raises his arms) 
Wait! Wait! (The crowd pauses.) So, it is not 
enough that she defiles the home of the Christus! She 
must needs stand by the sacred cross itself! 

Omnes 
Shame! Shame! Take her away from there. 

Margot 
She has brought shame on our village. 

Jonas 

(To the three Elders) 

What does she know of respect for holy things? 



Omnes 



Yes; yes. 



Marna 
(Terror stricken) 
What do you want with me? 

James 
We want to be rid of you. That is all. 




< 
o 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 141 

Omnes 
Yes! Yes! Drive her out! 



Jonas 
Listen, It is no use for you to make denials. We 
know the truth. 

Omnes 
Yes, yes. We know the truth. 

Marna 
I have made no denials. 

Jonas 
Ah, you admit that you cared nothing for your 
good name, nor for the good name of this village? 

Omnes 

She admits it. 

James 
{To Jonas) 
Don't waste time on words. Someone fetch her 
brat, and I'll see them past the first milestone. 

Omnes 
Yes. Yes! 

Marna 
{Runs down to M argot, passionately) 
Don't you dare to touch my child! I will kill any- 
one who lays hands on him. 



142 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Margot 
Oh, so he is too fine for us to touch! 

Marna 
Yes, he is! (All laugh and sneer at her.) You 
come to revile me and spit at me. Why — because I 
have sinned? No, because I have been found out! 
{All turn to each other, muttering,) Are you any 
better than me, Margot Haser? You sold yourself to 
an old man not for love, but for money! 

Margot 
I married him! 

Marna 
Oh, yes, you have a gold ring to show. And you 
stood by him in church. But does that make you any 
cleaner than me? 

{Several men start to grab her. She turns on 
them fiercely.) 
And you men ! You have never lusted after a woman, 
have you? 

Jonas 
Now, look here — 

Marna 
{Turns on him) 
And you, Jonas Kurz. Do you forget the day you 
tried to seize me in your arms and press hateful kisses 
on my lips. 

{The murmur grows to a babble of cries, over- 
whelming her speech,) 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 143 

Omnes 
Drive her out! Prostitute! Wanton! 

( They rush at her. She turns and runs up onto 
the rock, Anton comes on above. Marna 
runs to him and falls on her knees, at his feet, 
clutching his smock.) 

Anton 
{Towering above them all) 
Stop ! Stop I 

James 
She IS defiling this place! 

Margot 
{Crying out above rising murmurs) 
She must go! Drive her out. 

Omnes 
Yes; drive her out. 

{There is another surge forward.) 

Anton 
Stop, I say! {The crowd halts.) Must there be 
twenty of you to handle a defenseless girl? {Silence.) 
Come, let one man step out. 

Omnes 
One man! 

James 
Whom do you vv^ant? 



144 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Omnes 
Yes, yes. Whom do you want? 

Anton 
A man who is without sin, 

Omnes 

Without sin! 

Anton 
I say: have your way, drive her out, stone her! 

Jonas 
Stone her? 

Anton 
Yes; but let him who is without sin cast the first 
stone ! 

{There is a sudden awed silence.) 

James 
We have no quarrel with you, Anton Rendel. 

Omnes 

No. No. 

Anton 
No? And why not? If you think your village has 
been defiled, it is / who have defiled it. When Marna 
wanted to go away, I stopped her. I took her into 
my house. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 145 

Jonas 
Yes, and for good reason ! 



First Elder 
Good reason? 

Omnes 
What's that? What did he say? 

Jonas 
{To crowd) 
Why should he take her into his home unless she had 
good claim to be there? 

Omnes 
Yes, that's so. Why? 

Jonas 
Why has he hidden her there unless he was afraid 
of the questions we might ask? 

Omnes 
Yes, that's it. 

Jonas 
{To Marna) 
To whose house did you go when you first came 
back? To your old home on the hill? No! 

James 
{Realizing what JoNAS means) 
Are you mad, Jonas? 



146 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Jonas 
No, but if we care to preserve the sacredness of our 
great Passion Play; unless we would see the village 
laughed at and our holy living a byword, ask her who 
is the father of her child! 

{There is another murmur that grows to con- 
fused noise; the Pastor enters through the 
crowd.) 

James 
The Pastor! 

Omnes 
It's the Pastor! Who told him? 
{They make way for him,) 

Pastor 
What is this? What is going on here? 

Anton 
{Coming down to him and leading Marna with him) 
You remember Marna Lynd, Pastor? 

Pastor 
Yes, and Stephen here has been telling me a strange 
tale about her. Is it true, that you have been here in 
the village a month past? 

Marna 
Yes. 

Jonas 
In the house of the Christus — ^with her child. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 147 

Pastor 
So I hear. But I can scarcely believe it. 



Anton 
It is true. 

Pastor 
Had you forgotten that you were charged to keep 
your house free from all carnal and worldly associa- 
tions? 

Anton 
No, and I have tried to keep it so ! 

Pastor 
But surely you knew what others would say when 
they heard that this poor, erring girl was lodging with 
you? 

Anton 
{Without bitterness) 
Perhaps I trusted too much to the charity and 
kindness of my neighbors. 

Pastor 
It is not only your neighbors that must be thought 
of. We in the village have to be far more jealous of 
our good name than other villages and you, on whom 
the greatest trust of all rests, should be careful that 
nothing you do could give the world cause to speak 
lightly of him who plays the Christus. 



148 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
If He who was the Christus had done that, there 
would have been small chance for sinners and out- 
casts to be healed and comforted. 



Omnes 
(Turn to each other) 
What does he mean ? 

Pastor 
Anton Rendel, you are presumptuous. 



Anton 



I am sorry. 



Marna 
Anton took me in because there was nowhere else for 
me to go. I was weak and ill and footsore. I had 
walked with my child in my arms all the way from the 
hospital of the nuns at Kroonwald. 



Pastor 
Doesn't your mother's sister still live on the hill 
above? 

Marna 
Yes; a mad woman. I would sooner have begged 
bread along the streets than have trusted my little one 
to the mercy of her crazy moods. 
(Simon enters,) 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 149 

Simon 
Anton! 

{He stops short, seeing the crowd and trying to 
understand what is happening. Martin is 
with him,) 

Marna 
Isn't It enough that I am ready to go now? Why 
must you stand here and condemn the man who was 
kind to me? 

Pastor 
You are ready to go away? 

Marna 
Yes! 

Anton 
No, no. You can't drive her out with a little child 
at her breast. 

Pastor 
No; you are right. {Turns to the villagers.) But 
some other lodging must be found for her. 

Jonas 
Excuse me, Pastor, but this is not the first thing. 
(Pastor turns to him,) Ask her — ask her, while we 
are all here, in front of us, who is the father of her 
child. 

(Simon is startled.) 



I50 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Omnes 
Yes, yes. Who is the father? 

Anton 
No, Pastor. Don't ask for that. It can do no good 
— only harm. 

Pastor 
What is this? Why are you trying to shield the 
guilty ? 

Jonas 
He has good reason ! 

Pastor 
It is a grave thing, Anton, that we should have one 
in our midst, one on whom we may place a trust only 
less sacred than your own, who is so grossly unworthy. 

Omnes 
Yes, yes. Who is he? Tell us his name? 

Anton 
Stop, please. Her word is pledged. 

Jonas 
(Sneering) 
Who to— to you? 

Anton 
Yes, to me. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 151 

Marna 
{To Anton^ through the chatter of the crowd) 
I must tell, Anton. I must! Don't you see what 
Jonas Kurz is trying to make them think ? 

Pastor 
Anton. {All are silent, eager to catch every word.) 
You know who this man is ? 

Anton 
Yes. 

Pastor 
Then I command you to tell us. 

Anton 
I am sorry, Pastor, but I must refuse. 

Pastor 
What! {The crowd are dumbfounded by his re- 
fusal.) Do you want me to believe that you are the 
man? 

Marna 

(To Pastor) 
Wait! Wait! There is someone else who knows; 
someone who is not pledged to silence. Ask him! 

Pastor 
Who? 

Marna 
Simon Brock. 



152 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Simon 
I? 

Omnes 
{There is a babble of voices as they all look at him) 
Simon? Simon Brock? 

Pastor 
Anton, your disobedience displeases me, but if Simon 
will speak for you — 

Simon 

{Comes down quickly between Marna and Pastor) 

There — there is some mistake. I cannot tell you. 

Pastor 
You mean you cannot, or you will not? 

Simon 
{Looks first at Anton) 
I mean 

Ruth 
{Calling ojf) 
Simon ! 

Simon 
{Quickly resolving Ruth must not learn the truth, as 
she comes on and stands in back) 
I mean she is mistaken, I don't know. 

Marna 
Simon! 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 153 

Jonas 
He, too, IS trying to shield his friend. 

Simon 

{Rushes at Jonas) 

No. I don't know. I tell you. I don't know. 

Anton 
Three times! And the poet said ^'yo^r friend's 
name is Simon, too." 

Ruth 
Simon, IS she the woman, they are trying to 

Simon 
(Rushes up to her) 
Come, dear, this is not for you. 

Pastor 
No, Simon; take your wife away! 

Ruth 
(Not understanding) 
Why? 

Simon 
The Pastor asks it, Ruth. 

Ruth 
But what is the matter? 

(He takes her in his arms, draws his coat about 
her as though to protect her and leads her off.) 



154 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Pastor 
Anton Rendel, it is not for me to say whether or not 
you have sheltered in your house your own sin. But 
since you seem willing to let that terrible suspicion rest 
upon you, I tell you that it cannot rest on the man 
who above all others in the village, must be untainted 
and of good reputation. 

Anton 
You mean ? 

Pastor 
{Controlling his emotion) 
I mean that you cannot carry that cross when the 
people gather here next Sunday! You have violated 
your pledge and you have stubbornly refused to bow 
to my authority. Therefore I am left no choice, but to 
take from you the role of the Christus. 
(Marna gives a cry.) 

Anton 
You take it from me? 

Pastor 
Yes. 

Omnes 

That is right. The Pastor is right! (etc.) 

Marna 

{To Pastor, through the chatter of the crowd) 
No, no ! I will tell you. You mustn't do this unjust 
thing! 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 155 

Anton 
(To her) 

No, Marna. This is to be. 

Marna 
(To Anton) 
Just to save another — and such another. 

Pastor 
I am very sorry. This is a terrible thing, but I could 
do nothing else. 

(Pastor ^oes out; the others start to follow 
him. Marna breaks from Anton and rushes 
after them.) 

Marna 
(To M argot) 
Fetch the Pastor back! 

Omnes 
(As they crowd through the arch going off) 

No! No! 

Marna 
(Turns to The Elders, who are crossing below 

her) 
Fetch the Pastor back! 

(The Elders shake their head and motion with 
their hand — '' no, no." Marna turns and con- 
fronts Jonas.) 
Fetch the Pastor back ! I will tell him who it is. 



156 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Jonas 
Yes, you'd He some other's good name away to save 
your lover! 

Margot 
{Through the talk of crowd) 
You defiled his home so that his home defiles our 
village! 

Jonas 
Yes; it will be pointed out as the place where the 
Christus lived with a wanton. 

(Anton goes up on the rock, and leans his 
head against the cross.) 

James 
You can stay there now, woman, as a good lesson 
to others — like you! 

Raymond 
But honest people will spit on the ground as they 
goby! 

Marna 
{Runs to Margot^ drops on her knees clutching Mar- 
got around the limbs) 
Call the Pastor. I will tell him! I will tell him 
everything ! 

(James grabs her arm and loosens her hold 
on Margot, while Raymond helps him. James 
throws Marna to the ground. The crowd ap- 
proves.) 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 157 

Margot 
Who will take the word of a harlot? 
(James^ Raymond^ Paul go off.) 

Jonas 
Now get your child and leave us! 



Margot 
{Going out) 
And see that you lose no time in clearing the village 
of this shame. 

Jonas 
Yes, and take your seducer with you. 
{He goes off with the others.) 

Marna 

{On her knees calling after them) 
Listen! Listen! Well, go then. If you won't 
listen. Go! Poor simple sheep that you are! 

{The noise from the crowd continues in the 
distance.) 

Anton 
{Raises his clasped hands to the cross) 
Was that man right who said : Christianity died upon 
the Cross? 

{He leans his head against the cross — his arms 
about it. Marna rises slowly and staggers 
over to the tree, sobbing hysterically. She drops 
onto rock at foot of tree.) 



158 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Marna 
{Her head bowed between her clinched hands) 
Curse your self-righteousness! Your intolerance! 
Your cruel goodness! (Anton raises his head and 
turns to her,) Pharisees! {She throws up her head.) 
Talk of sacred ground. {Shaking her clinched hand 
after them.) Curse your holy village! 

Anton 
{Crying out) 
No, no; Marna! 

Marna 
They say they are the keepers of the spirit of 
Christ. But they are the ones that crucified Him! 
If Christ should walk among them to-day, they would 
revile Him, spit at Him and bar Him from their 
homes ! 

Anton 
{Standing at the foot of the cross with his arms out- 
stretched) 
Don't curse them, Marna! Forgive them! For they 
know not what they do! 



Curtain. 



THE THIRD ACX 
THE HOME OF ANTON RENDEL 

A few days later. 



THE THIRD ACT 

Tr\ACK in Anton Rendel's house. But the 

g^ joy seems somehow to have left it. And this is 

•^^"^ hard to account for as it is a fine sunshiny 

morning in June. Most of the carvings have disap- 

peared — perhaps that is the reason. 

The room is empty. Nathan enters from kitchen 
carrying a hand carved wooden cradle, which he 
places near the fireplace. He then takes a bellows from 
fireplace, where they are hanging, and stoops over the 
fire logs, gives them a few puffs — //// the fire blazes up. 

Anton's mother comes down the stairs carrying the 
pillow and comforter for the cradle. She pauses for 
a moment to look through the window — for she is ex- 
pecting Anton, 

Nathan 
Fm thinking that there's small reason to be lighting 
the fire to-day. There's a warmth in the air that I 
haven't felt this Spring. 

Mother 
{Looking out window) 
It seems so often the day the Sacred Play is to start. 

Nathan 
Do you see any sign of Anton down the valley road ? 
i6z 



i62 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Mother 
No, there's not a soul to be seen; but maybe he 
might come back over the log road from Kroonwald. 

Nathan 
And why should he choose a hard way like that with 
the pack of carvings to carry? 

Mother 
There'd be less chance of meeting village folk. 

Nathan 
Anton wouldn't take a step out of the way for that. 
His gaze is straight and fearless as though they had 
never tried to shame him with their black looks and 
their heads turned away to his " good morning." 

Mother 
Yes, he doesn't let any see it. But think how he 
must feel never to get any answer to his greeting — him 
that everybody used to love. 

^ Nathan 

Why should he care for folk that aren't worthy to 
tie his boot-string? 

Mother 
They're trying to drive us out ^^ ^^^^ village. 

Nathan 
Yes. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 163 

Mother 
{Making bed in the cradle) 
And Anton would have gone only he knows this 
place has been my home so long. It's forty years ago, 
Nathan, since I came up that path a young bride, and 
all the folk gathered in the road crying out a welcome, 
and the little children throwing flowers for us to tread 
on. 

Nathan 
And now it's those that were little children then 
that threaten to burn the house if they aren't rid of us. 

Mother 
{Alarmed) 
They said that? 

Nathan 
Yes ; but don't fear. They won't go so far. I hear 
the Pastor was very angry when 'twas told to him. 

Mother 
I don't know. There's no saying what men may do 
in the name of religion. 

Nathan 
Don't I know? Don't I know? I that have seen 
my father hauled into the street by his beard and 
frightened women fleeing before men with blood 
on their hands and a white cross pinned on their 
sleeves! 



i64 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Mother 
{After a pause) 
I wonder if I could learn to live in some new place ? 

Nathan 
The trouble all came with Mama's coming. If 
she should go I believe they would soon forget their 
anger against Anton. 

(Marna enters coming down the stairs carry- 
ing her child.) 

Mother 
Hush! 

Marna 
Have you news of Anton? 

Nathan 
{A little forced) 
Where should we have news except by his coming? 
None will bear a message to us nor tell us if they 
saw him in the road. 

Mother 
Perhaps the strangers at the Kroonwald have bought 
only a few carvings and he pushed on through the 
night to Mendorf. 

(Goes to Marna^ as she comes down the stairs, 
to help her with the baby.) 

Nathan 
I wish he had let me go instead. 




Anton as The Christus. 



Act 3. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 165 

Marna 
I think he wanted to be alone for a while. 

Mother 
Yes. It will ease him to go walking through the 
clean-smelling meadowland and hearing the birds call- 
ing in the willow groves along the river. 

Marna 
And no doubt he'd wish to be away to-day. 

Nathan 
Why? 

Marna 
Why? 'Tis the start of the Passion Play, isn't it? 
And there'll be folk going by in their robes and 
singing and the procession of the children. 

Mother 
Yes. When he would hear the bell ringing to call 
them to the rehearsing his hand would tremble so that 
he could scarce hold the knife. 

(She goes out into the kitchen, Marna starts 
to put the baby in the carved wooden cradle 
which stands in front of fireplace.) 

Nathan 
How is master baby to-day? 

Marna 
As happy as if his coming into the world had brought 
nothing but joy. 

{Kisses it, then puts it in the cradle,) 



i66 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Nathan 
And so it should I say. {Peers into cradle.) Heyho, 
baby. Oh, don't pucker up your forehead at old 
Nathan. Surely he couldn't scowl any worse if he 
were looking at Jonas Kurz. 

Marna 

Sh-hush, baby. 

{She rocks cradle back and forth.) 

Nathan 
{Bending over the cradle) 
Are you sure there isn't a pin sticking into its 
shoulder ? 

Marna 
Am I sure? What sort of a mother do you 
think I am? Sh-sh — That's right. Mother won't let 
any big man with a funny beard frighten her lamb- 
kin. 



Nathan 



Funny beard i 



Marna 
{To baby) 
Sh-sh. That's right. Go to sleep. {Glancing at 
the kitchen door.) Nathan? 



Nathan 



Yes? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 167 

Marna 
As I came down the stairs just now I could not help 
hearing what you said. 

Nathan 
Eh? 

Marna 
That if I should go away they would soon forget. 

Nathan 
I said that? 

Marna 
Yes, don't try to deny it. 

Nathan 
Neither Anton nor his mother would let you go 
away. You know that. 

Marna 
No, perhaps not. But if I were to go without their 
knowing. 

Nathan 
And how would you be going with that baby to carry 
in your arms and you only just getting back your 
strength ? 

Marna 
Perhaps I could get someone to give me a lift as far 
as Mendorf. 



i68 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Nathan 
I know one who has a good tart who might lend it 
to me. 

Marna 
What? Someone in this village? 

Nathan 
Yes. 

Marna 
If there's any would be willing themselves, they'd 
be afraid of their neighbors. 

Nathan 
The man Fm thinking of could scarce refuse that 
much, poor friend though he's been this week past. 

Marna 
You don't mean Simon Brock? 

Nathan 
I do indeed. Simon Brock was always Anton's 
greatest friend. Didn't they take in his wife and keep 
her here like one of their own all the time they were 
waiting for the wedding? 

Marna 
You mustn't go to him, Nathan. 

Nathan 
Why not? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 169 

Marna 

Go away in that cart — the one he drove his wife in 
on their wedding journey? 

Nathan 
That's made it no worse, has it? 

Marna 
Oh, I couldn't. I couldn't! 

Nathan 
What's the matter with you, Marna? 

Marna 
{Turns to him) 
Think — think! There must be someone else. 

Nathan 
No one that I know. Well, perhaps when Anton 
gets here we'll all be leaving, 

Marna -, 

No, no. That mustn't be. || 

Nathan 
It may have to be. 

Marna 
But Anton's mother! Think how she would feel 
having to leave her home, to go out among strangers 
and suffer hardships. 



I70 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Nathan 
Listen, Marna. I didn't tell her just now and I 
didn't mean to tell you. When I went to the village 
this morning to buy food, they told me at the shop 
there wasn't any. 

Marna 
Not any food? 

Nathan 
Not, they said, for — for you. 

Marna 
You mean they said — " not for a harlot/* 

Nathan 
That is why I said if you were to go they would 
let Anton and his mother stay in peace. 

Marna 
Go, Nathan, go to Simon Brock. And ask him for 
his cart. And if he doesn't want to give it to you, tell 
him why you want it. Say it is to take the harlot and 
her child out of the village! He will give it to you 
then fast enough. I promise you. 

Nathan 
Marna! 

Marna 
{Bitterly) 
Only tell him to throw new straw on it! 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 171 

Nathan 
I don't understand. 

Marna 
He will understand. He will not want me to lie 
in the sweet grass where she rested in his arms. 

Nathan 
{Looks at Marna^ then at the cradle as though sud- 
denly guessing the secret) 

Marna — tell me ? 

(Mother comes to the kitchen doorway.) 

Marna 
I will tell you nothing. Go — go! 

Mother 
What is it, Marna? Is anything the matter? 

Marna 
No. It is nothing. I want some fresh bedding for 
my baby, that is all. 

Mother 
But Nathan put some balsam in the cradle only 
yesterday. 

Nathan 
{As though bewildered by his discovery) 
Yes, — yes. I know where there is some better, with 
a still sweeter smell. 
{He goes out.) 



172 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Mother 
Were you and Nathan quarreling? 

Marna 
{Bends over the baby) 
No, of course not. 

Mother 
I thought I heard your voices raised. But my ears 
are not what they were. I'm getting to be an old 
woman, Marna. 

Marna 
{Turns to her, mastering herself with an effort and 
smiling) 
Oh, you're not really old. You'll hear many pleasant 
sounds yet, Aunt Mary. The birds nesting under the 
eaves and the bees in your garden and children laughing 
outside and Anton singing as he bends over his work. 

Mother 
{Shaking her head) 
He doesn't sing any more, Marna. 

Marna 
But he will: never doubt it. 

Mother 
{Taking her hand) 
Will those good times ever come back to us 
again ? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 173 

Marna 
{Comforting her) 
Of course; of course, they will. {She goes to the 
cradle.) When the curse that has lain on you is lifted. 

Mother 
We were so happy. I didn't know how happy 

Marna 
Look at him, Aunt Mary. You wouldn't think that 
anything so beautiful could bring so much wrong and 
hatred and bitterness into the world, would you? 

Mother 
The ways of the Lord are hard to understand. 

Marna 
No, Aunt Mary, I don't believe that. It's the ways 
of man that are dark and cruel. The ways of God 
are simple and straight and kind. 

(Anton enters, carrying a hag slung over his 
shoulder. His boots are muddy from the roads,) 

Anton 
{Cheerfully) 
Well, little mother, here is the wanderer at last. 

Mother 
Anton! My boy! 

{She runs to him and puts her arms about 
him.) 



174 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
I hope you have plenty of food in the house. All the 
long way back from Kroonwald IVe been kept up by a 
beautiful vision. My mother standing over a pan of 
her famous apple-cakes, all warm and brown, smelling 
of cinnamon. 

Mother 
Oh, what a shame ! I sent Nathan to get some fresh 
meal but he said it hadn't come from the mill yet. 

Anton 
{Knowing she is fibbing) 
Well, it won't hurt me to wait a bit. 

Mother 
No, no. IVe got some cakes left from yesterday, if 
you don't mind that. 

Anton 
Mind it? They'll taste better to me than the first 
fall of Manna did to the Children of Israel. {Takes 
the bag off.) And how is the other little mother? 

Marna 
I just said to Nathan that at last I am feeling as 
strong as I ever was. 

Anton 
{Looking at her) 
Not quite that yet. You see I've got a rosy cheek 
in that cradle to match yours by. 



i 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 175 

Mother 
(Anxiously) 
The carvings, Anton ? Did you sell them ? 

Anton 
Did I? Never say again that I am not a business 
man. 

(Draws out a little chamois hag from his pocket, 
jingles it and gives it to her.) 

Mother 
Oh, splendid! 

Anton 
Nathan will be coming to me now for lessons in 
bargaining. 

Mother 
Gold pieces, Marna! 

Marna 
Fm so glad! 

Anton 
Yes. I even sold the King Solomon. I was almost 
ashamed to show them that. 

Mother 
Why the Solomon was wonderful, wasn't it, Marna? 

Anton 
Oh, there's a mother speaking. Even Nathan ad- 



176 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

mitted I hadn't done Solomon justice. But Solomon 
has gone and I really believe I might have sold a carv- 
ing of each of his wives — if I could have found wood 
enough to do for the whole family. 

Marna 
{Hopefully, that she will be able to get work there) 
There are a lot of visitors at Kroonwald then ? 

Anton 
Yes. But I sold nearly all to one man. 

Mother 
One man ? 

Anton 
Yes. Do you remember that poet who came here 
with his two friends the day that I — {Correcting him- 
self) the day that you came to us, Marna? 

Mother 
The one to whom you gave the Magdalen ? 

Anton 
Yes. I will not shame you by reminding you how 
you scolded me. Cast your bread upon the waters, 
mother dear, and it will return to you after many 
days. 

Mother 
I'll get you those cakes and some coffee. 
{Goes to kitchen door,) 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 177 

Anton 
Can't I help you? 

Mother 
What do I want with a man messing in my kitchen ? 
Sit down there and rest yourself. 
{She goes out into kitchen.) 

Marna 

Anton, you have been very good to me. If there was 
only some way that I could repay you. 

Anton 
Happiness is the coin in which we want all our 
deeds repaid. Only before we learn life's lesson we 
think that the happiness must be our own. You can 
make up to me for everything by trying to be happy. 

Marna 
And good. 

Anton 
Happiness brings goodness, Marna, just as much as 
goodness brings happiness. 

Marna 
I shall try and remember that. You have given me 
many thoughts to carry away with me, thoughts that 
will help me even in the darkest hours. But I must go 
upstairs now. I want to put something in order. 

{She starts up the stairs. Anton wearily sinks 



178 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

into chair. The boom of a distant cannon is 
heard. Far in the distance the choir is heard 
for a little while.) 

Anton 
That's the first gun calling the players to prayer. 
The performance will begin in one hour. 

Marna 
Yes, I know. . . . 

{She looks at him with compassionate under- 
standing, then she goes quietly up the stairs. 
Anton^ when he realizes he is alone relaxes; 
his head slowly drops into his hands with his 
elbows resting on his knees. There is a brief 
pause. Then Agnes comes in the door. She 
is wearing the dress for the scene of Christ's 
entrance into Jerusalem.) 

Agnes 
{Looking in over bottom half of the door) 
Anton. {Rattles the hasp.) Anton. 

Anton 
Agnes! 

Agnes 
{Enters and runs to him) 
They told me I mustn^t go to see you any 
more, Anton, but I just had to come and show you 
my dress. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 179 

Anton 
Oh, but It's lovely, Agnes. 

Agnes 
(Lifting up the dress so as to show it) 
The petticoat is almost the nicest part. I wish it 
showed more. 

Anton 
Couldn't you wear the petticoat outside the dress? 

Agnes 
Of course not. (Laughs,) Aren't men funny? 
But, oh, I'm so proud to think I'm going to be in the 
Passion Play, Anton. 

Anton 
(Goes to her) 
Of course, you should be, dear. 

Agnes 
Did you want to play in it, Anton? 

Anton 
I wanted to play in it very very much, Agnes. 

Agnes 
Wouldn't they let you? 

Anton 
No. 



i8o THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Agnes 
I hate them for not letting you. 

Anton 
You mustn't say that. 

Agnes 
Yes, I do. I prayed to God last night to send an 
awful punishment to all people that were unkind to 
you, Anton. 

Anton 
Oh, you shouldn't have done that. 

Agnes 
Well, IVe done it now, so it'll have to stand. I'm 
not going to tell God I've changed my mind. 

TiMMY 

{Comes inside and looks hack to see that no one is 
looking) 
Agnes — Agnes. 

Agnes 
Yes, Timmy. 

TiMMY 

Agnes, you know you were told not to come here. 

Anton 
Yes, dear, you'd better go. Your mother will be 
cross. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD i8i 

TlMMY 



Anton. 

Yes, Timmy? 



Anton 



Timmy 
Have you got any more dragons? 

Anton 
{He gets two small wooden elephants from the shelf) 
No. But there are a pair of elephants I was making 
for your Noah's ark. 

(Timmy looks about again afraid of being seen 
in Antonys home but finally comes in, and 
takes his toy. Agnes takes hers and tries to 
make it walk.) 

Timmy 
Oh, thank you, Anton. I can't see why everybody is 
so angry at you, Anton. I guess they don't know what 
lovely animals you can make. 

{Runs to door, looks out carefully to see if 
anyone is looking. Then he runs off.) 

Agnes 
Good-bye, Anton. Won't you see me in my scene 
this afternoon? 

Anton 
I am afraid not, dear. 



i82 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Ruth 

{Standing in the doorway) 
Anton. 

Anton 
{Surprised and glad to see her) 
Why, Ruth! 

Agnes 
{As Ruth comes in) 
Oh, Fm so glad youVe come to see Anton, I can't 
stay any longer and I just hated to think of him sitting 
here all alone. 

Anton 
You were very sweet to come, both of you. 

Agnes 
Tm going to pray to God to arrange it so you can 
be in the Passion Play after all, Anton. And I think 
maybe He'll do it, because I haven't asked Him any- 
thing for a long time. 
{She runs out.) 

Ruth 
Oh, Anton, but I wish it could be so. 

Anton 
That doesn't matter now. 

Ruth 
What have you thought of me, Anton, not having 
come near you all this time. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 183 

Anton 
I am sure you had some good reason. 

Ruth 
Yes, I had. Simon has been ill. 

Anton 
I am sorry. 

Ruth 
He took it very deeply to heart that you, his best 
friend, should have been accused and humiliated. He 
was to be in the chorus of the play, as you know ; but 
he has given it up. He sent back his robe. 

Anton 
( Turns to her) 
His robe? I had forgotten my robe. It is still 
lying in there. {Glances toward kitchen,) The gar- 
ment woven without a seam. Oh, well! it doesn't 
matter. No doubt whoever plays the role now would 
refuse to wear my robe ; it has been soiled by my touch. 

Ruth 
Anton, please 

Mother 
{Enters from kitchen) 
Your breakfast is ready, Anton! 

Ruth 
{Going to her) { 

Aunt Maiy! 



i84 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Mother 
Ruth! 

Ruth 
Fm so glad to see you ! 

Mother 
My little girl ! Oh, you don't know how it warms 
my heart to hold you here. Nothing hurt me so much 
as to think that you would join with the others in 
shunning us. 

Ruth 
I didn't know how they had all been treating you 
till I went to the village to-day to do some marketing. 
Then I came straight on here. 

Anton 
Then Simon does not know that you have come? 

Ruth 

No. 

Mother 
Come in, Anton; — the coffee is all made. 

Anton 
And how does our little valley flower like being a 
house-wife? 

Ruth 
It would be splendid if — if only Simon and I could 
know that you are happy. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 185 

Anton 
But we are happy. Can't you see we are? Why 
look at the mother IVe got: the best mother and the 
best cook in the whole country. To be sure she's a wee 

bit daft 

(As they go off into kitchen Marna appears on 
the landing carrying a small bundle tied in an 
old shawl. She shrinks back as she sees them 
and waits till they have gone off* Then she 
comes quickly down as Nathan enters from 
outside.) 

Marna 
I saw you from the window. I have been watching. 

Nathan 
Well, I got It. 

Marna 
Be careful. Anton has returned. 

Nathan 
He has? 

Marna 
I will close the door so that they shan't hear me. 
(Shuts door of passage leading to kitchen,) Simon 
Brock's wife is in there, too. 

Nathan 
And Simon himself is here with the cart. 



i86 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Marna ' 
Simon himself! 

Nathan 
Yes. He is waiting down below the road-bend be- 
hind the trees. 

Marna 
(To Nathan) 
But he will not go with us? 

Nathan 
No, no ; of course not. Are you ready ? 

Marna 
Yes. 

Nathan 
{Takes the bundle) 
Give me that and you carry the little fellow. If 
I took him he'd cry and you'd say it was the way I 
held him. 

Marna 
I am not going to take the baby, Nathan. 

Nathan 
Not going to take him? 

Marna 
No. I have thought it all out. For his sake, it is 
better so. You see, I may have trouble getting work, 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 187 

and if I should have to see him suffer, I couldn't bear 
It, Nathan. 

Nathan 
But Mama, to leave your child 



Marna 
I know. It is hard, very hard, but you'll be kind to 
him, won't you ? He's so good, hardly any trouble at 
all. He only has to be fed once in the night now; 
only be careful the milk is warmed. But there; what 
am I saying? Anton's mother knows well enough. 
I didn't think to wean him for many months; but he's 
strong, thank God, and soon enough he'll forget 
me. 

Nathan 
And when you have work and are settled you'll 
send for me to bring him to you? 

Marna 
(Kneeling by cradle) 
No, I shan't, Nathan. I'm saying good-bye to him 
forever. It's better so, for he'll grow up with good 
people. And he won't have to see folk turn their 
heads away as his mother passes, and if they're kind per- 
haps he'll never know that I was a-^-a 

Nathan 
Marna! Don't say it! You know you're not that, 
whatever they say! 



i88 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Marna 
{Unheeding) 
Good-bye, my baby. This way you won't have to be 
ashamed. And your mother is going to try to live, 
if she can live, so that you wouldn't be ashamed even if 
you knew who she was and where — {She bends forward 
and kisses the baby) God bless you. The sight of 
you will be in my eyes forever. 

{She again drops forward over the cradle. As 
Nathan touches her on the arm " to hurry '* 
he looks up and sees SiMON who has entered, 
Nathan gazes at Simon and then at Marna. 
Simon sees her by the cradle. He goes to her 
slowly.) 



Mama! 



Simon 
{Softly) 



Marna 
{She rises slowly, thinking it is Nathan) 
I am ready 

Simon 
Marna. Let me see him — the boy. 

Marna 
Why? He is nothing to you. 

Simon 
Yes, he IS. He must be. I must help you. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 189 

Marna 
I don't need your help nor does he, 

(Nathan starts quietly towards the door.) 

Simon 
But ft IS right and it's the only way for me to find 
peace, 

Marna 
You will never find peace while others suffer in 
your stead. (Nathan shakes his head sadly and goes 
out,) Simon, I am going to go away and leave my 
boy forever. 

Simon 
To leave him? 

Marna 
Yes. Do you know why? Because I don't want 
him to have to be ashamed of his mother! 

Simon 
Mama! 

Marna 

{Eyeing him steadfastly) 
But in all humbleness I pray God he may b« spared 
the even greater shame of knowing who is his father. 

Simon 
Have you no pity? Can't you see that I am in the 
dust at your feet? 



I90 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Marna 
And where should you be? No. I will tell you. 
Not at my feet, but at his! At the feet of Anton 
Rendel! 

Simon 
Marna. All you can say is nothing, compared to 
what I have already said to myself. But even now 
I daren't speak. 

(Ruth enters from kitchen unobserved.) 
Wait. I am going to make amends. I am leaving, too. 
I have planned to take my wife far away, and then 
I will write. I will tell them all the truth — every- 
thing; but not her. I can't tell her, 

{He looks up and seeing Marna's fixed gaze 

on Ruth; he turns and sees her standing there 

dumbfounded.) 

Marna 
( Comprehending) 
I will leave you. 

Ruth 
No. Why should you, Marna? It is I who am the 
real intruder. 

Simon 
Ruth! 

Ruth 
I see that at last. I must have been a fool not to 
see it before; a fool blinded by love. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 191 

Marna 
{Gently) 
Then perhaps you can understand how his love 
could blind him, too. 

Ruth 
{To Marna) 
If it's love for me that made him forget decency, 
loyalty and truth I wish that I might never have 
had the power of waking such a love as his, 

Simon 
{Moves toward her) 
Ruth! My wife! 

(Anton enters grasping the situation,) 

Ruth 
Your wife! That is your wife standing there by the 
cradle of your child. 

Anton 
Ruth, listen to me a moment. 

Ruth 
{Piteously) 
Oh, Anton, I am so ashamed ! So ashamed ! It was 
for the sake of me, for the sake of my little fool's 
paradise, that you have suffered! That you stood 
silent while they stripped from you the trust and the 
honor and called you unworthy! 



192 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Simon 
{Going toward her) 
Ruth! 

Ruth 
Don't speak to me. Don't touch me. 

{She rushes out. There is a distant murmur 
of the procession of villagers going to the Play,) 

Simon 
Ruth! Ruth! Don't leave me! Don't leave me! 
I love you, Ruth ! I love you ! 

Anton 
{His hand on Simon's shoulder) 
Don't, Simon, old friend, don't. I understand and 
so will she some day. 

Simon 
Never — never — I've lost her — I've lost her. 

Nathan 
Anton ! Anton ! 

{Enters hurriedly in great excitement. Closes 
the door, and holds it shut.) 

Anton 
Yes, Nathan? 

Nathan 
You know that some people made threat to burn the 
house. They are coming, Anton. A great crowd of 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 193 

them have turned up the road and — and one carries a 
great bundle of sticks under his arm. 

(Marna quickly takes the baby from the 

cradle.) 

Anton 
Yes, for the scene of Isaac's sacrifice. They are on 
their way to the play. 

Nathan 
No, no. You are wrong ! Do you want to stay here 
till the rabble are upon us. {To Marna) Quick, I 
have Simon's cart waiting! 

Marna 
He's right, Anton. Where is your mother? Aunt 
Mary! Aunt Mary! 

Anton 
Don't be frightened. 

{The sound of many voices rises from outside.) 

James 
{Off) 
The Pastor has gone to the Play — Come on ! 

{The crowd, including Martin^ James^ Paul 
and Raymond enter hurriedly filling the door- 
way and one side of the room. They are all 
excited. The Mother enters in terror. 
Nathan picks up a piece of wood to protect 
Marna who stands holding her baby.) 



194 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
Put that down, Nathan! 

( There is a confusion of shouts and calls from 
outside, Ruth forces herself through the 
crowd.) 

Ruth 
{As she silences them.) 
Simon! I have brought these people here for you 
to tell them the truth! 

Omnes 
What is it? What does she say? 

Ruth 
Listen. Simon has something to say to you. Listen! 

Anton 
Ruth! 

Simon 
{To Anton) 
No no ; it is right. I stood by and let you be shamed 
publicly, and now — {He faces the crowd.) My wife 
has asked you to come here so that I should right a 
terrible wrong that you have done through me to a 
good and noble man. {The crowd are bewildered.) 
And there is a girl and a little child. She, too, does 
not deserve your blame, not one tenth as much as the 
man who seduced her. 

Martin 
That is true enough! 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 195 

Simon 
I am the man. 

{There is a moment's stunned silence, then a 
sudden babble of voices. RuTH turns to 
Nathan who takes her in his arms. Marna 
goes to the cradle; puts baby in it.) 

Martin 
And you stood by while we tried to drive Anton from 
the village? 

Omnes 
{Starting toward Simon) 
Shame, shame! 

Anton 
Wait, my friends! Justice is with God and since He 
gives mercy, we poor offenders may well be merciful. 

Omnes 
The Pastor! The Pastor is coming. 

(Pastor Saunders enters through the crowd.) 

Martin 
Fm glad you're here, Pastor. Simon Brock has 
just make a confession to us all. 

Pastor 
A confession? 

Martin 
He IS the father of the little one in that cradle. 



196 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Pastor 
(Slowly) 
This is true, Simon? 



Simon 
Yes. 

Pastor 
Anton, what can I say to you ? 

Anton 
{Puts his hand on Simon's shoulder) 
Say that you are glad to learn that a man has found 
himself a man. 

Pastor 
I wish that there was some way for us to make 
amends to you. 

Omnes 
Yes, yes. 

Anton 
There is one gift I should like to ask. 

Omnes 
Yes; yes. Anything. 

Anton 
Then won't you ask them, Pastor, to let Marna 
stay on here in the village. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 197 

Pastor 
{Turns to the villagers) 
You hear what Anton says? 

Marna 
No; thank you, Anton, it is better that I go away. 
You see, some day my little boy will grow up to under- 
stand these things. 

Martin 
Marna, your child shall grow up with our children, 
and never by word or look will he come to know from 
us of anything of all this but what you tell him. 
{Murmurs of assent from the crowd.) 

Marna 
{Half audibly, with bowed head) 
Thank you ... 

{The chant begins outside.) 

James 
{Looking off) 
It's the procession! 



Omnes 



The procession! 



Pastor 
Yes, my children. Go and join them, you must not 
be late. 

Omnes 
{As they start off) 
Good-bye, Anton. God bless you. 



198 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Anton 
God bless you. 

Pastor 
Anton Rendel. I think you arc a better Christian 
than any of us here. 

James 
{At door) 
Pastor, may we speak to you a moment? 

Pastor 
{Going to them) 
Surely ray son. 

Anton 
( Turns to her) 
Ruth 

Ruth 
Yes, Anton. 

Pastor 
Anton, young Mayrc is outside; he wants you to 
take back the role of the Christus. 

Anton 
No, no. 

(Mother goes to him with an appealing hand 
on his shoulder.) 

Pastor 
Everyone wishes it so, and for the sake of the village 
and our play, I ask it. 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 199 

Anton 
Very well then. I will. 



Pastor 
Thank you, Anton. 

Omnes 
{Going off happily) • 

He agrees. He takes it back. 

Martin 
{As they are going) 
We will wait outside while he robes himself. 

Mother 
Yes, yes. FU get the robe for you, Anton. 
{She goes into kitchen.) 

Pastor 

{In doorway turns to them) 

God bless this house, and all who dwell therein. 

Martin, James, Paul 
Amen — amen I 

Nathan 
{Cynically) 
Amen! 

{The Pastor and the others all go off as the 
Mother enters, reverently carrying the robe 
which she lays on Anton's arm.) 



200 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Mother 

Every day I have taken it out and cried over it, and 

now after all I am to see you wear it. God is good! 

(Anton kisses her. She lifts the robe off 

Anton's arms and goes up the stairs j carrying 

the robe folded over her arms,) 

Nathan 
{Shaking Anton's hand) 
Men that love truth and kindness and mercy may 
call their faith by different names, Anton; but the 
things that separate them must look very small, to the 
God that puts goodness into the hearts of both Jew 
and Gentile. 

{He goes out.) 

Anton 
Ruth, can't you forgive him? 

Ruth 
I can't forgive him for having stood back and let 
an innocent man suffer in his stead. 

Anton 
This day we are going to commemorate the suffer- 
ings of one who was wholly innocent and who suffered 
for a world of us guilty ones. 

Ruth 
Anton; please leave us alone. 

(Simon rises from chair below mantel where he 
has been sitting.) 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 201 

Anton 
As you wish, dear. 

{He goes up the stairs and off, Marna takes 
up her baby and goes toward the kitchen door- 
way.) 

Ruth 
Marna. (Marna turns.) Wait, I am going down 
to my home in the valley. (Simon raises his head.) 
But I want you to know if you should ever need a 
woman friend, I will be always ready. And sometimes 
you must let your little boy come and see me. 

Marna 
{Dreamily) 
You feel it, too. 

Ruth 
What do you mean? 

Marna 
There is a spirit in this house, something that broods 
upon the souls of each who enters it, and raises them 
up to the heights. 

Ruth 
Why, yes, I wonder. 

Marna 
Do you believe that the spirit of Christ left the 
earth when He left it? Or may it perhaps come 
back to show us the way again? 



202 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Ruth 
To show us again the gospel of kindness and for- 
giveness? 

Marna 
And understanding . . . that was His greatest 
secret, Ruth; understanding. 

{She goes out, after a second^ s pause, to the 
kitchen. Ruth turns to Simon.) 

Ruth 
Simon, I want that understanding to come to me; 
perhaps it will some day. 

Simon 
Some day? You are going back to your home? 

Ruth 
Yes. It will be easier that way for a little while. 

Simon 
{Dully) 
Will It? 

Ruth 
And there's work for you to do there, down in the 
valley. And later, we will come back to the heights. 

Simon 
{Wonderingly) 
You want me to go with you ? 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 203 

Ruth 
You are my husband, Simon. And down there we 
will try to find that understanding together. 



Simon 
{Seizin$f her hand and kissing it humbly) 
Ruth! 

(Brooke^ the poet appears in the doorway.) 

Brooke 
May I come in ? I was on my way down to the play 
and I thought Fd stop for a moment to see what 
Anton has been making. 

Ruth 
Oh, the carvings. 

Brooke 
Yes. Aren't you the little bride who was here that 
day I came with my two friends? 

Ruth 
Yes. 

Brooke 
I wished you happiness then. {Shaking hands.) 
May I wish it again? 

Ruth 
Thank you. 



204 THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Brooke 
{Turns to the carving on the table) 
A mother and child. ( To Ruth) Is it a Madonna? 

Ruth 
Does Madonna mean mother? 

Brooke 
{Examining it) 
Mother-love, that's what it should be called. The 
only absolutely unselfish love in the world. 

(Anton slowly comes down the steps, clothed 
in the white vestments of Christ. They stand 
watching him, awed and silent. He comes to 
Ruth and puts his hand on her arm, looking at 
her in question,) 

Anton 
Well, Ruth? 

Ruth 
It is just as you would wish with us, I think. 

{Then Anton slowly goes to Simon placing 
his hand on his shoulders.) 

Anton 
I am glad. 

{He turns and seeing Brooke smiles in recogni- 
tion. Outside there is a distant boom of the 
cannons. He slowly crosses to the door as they 
gaze at him. The trumpets are heard. Anton 



I 







o 

H 
z 

< 



THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 205 

opens the door as the choir sings. The warm 
sunlight floods over his head. He walks slowly 
out. The others continue to gaze after him,) 

Brooke 
There is something that grips you even against your 
will; something that lives, that goes on living, 

{The choir is heard as Anton joins them.) 



Curtain. 



^ 



^^^^^jW^^^ 



r 




iPfivR^T^Iw?'*''^ ' '■ • ^' •>) - ♦ ' or ^ 



